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{
"title": "Journalist shoved to the ground by police in Minnesota, breaking his camera",
"url": "https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/journalist-shoved-to-the-ground-by-police-in-minnesota-breaking-his-camera/",
"first_published_at": "2026-07-30T18:59:28.626000Z",
"last_published_at": "2026-08-03T18:14:49.209564Z",
"latest_revision_created_at": "2026-08-03T18:14:49.074503Z",
"date": "2026-07-14",
"exact_date_unknown": false,
"city": "St. Paul",
"longitude": null,
"latitude": null,
"body": "<div class=\"w-block-rich_text block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"f77gj\">Independent journalist Aaron Johnson was pushed down by police while filming a law enforcement action in St. Paul, Minnesota, on July 14, 2026, causing minor injuries and smashing his camera.</p><p data-block-key=\"3ko77\">Johnson told the U.S. Press Freedom Tracker that he was headed to interview residents about an upcoming encampment eviction when he saw a large police presence. Officers, including a K-9 unit and some carrying rifles, were searching for a man who had fled on foot after a traffic stop.</p><p data-block-key=\"41vjv\">Johnson, who publishes his reporting on social platforms and shares video with nonprofit newsroom Unicorn Riot, began documenting the police search.</p><p data-block-key=\"edjdd\">As officers moved from yard to yard with weapons drawn, Johnson and others followed at a distance along a public alley, filming as police searched the neighborhood.</p><p data-block-key=\"n1ro\">Officers warned them to stay back. Johnson told the Tracker he complied, remaining roughly 50 feet away while continuing to film.</p><p data-block-key=\"9jr2a\">But as three officers returned from searching one home, Johnson said their attention shifted from another person recording with a cellphone to him. One in particular spoke to him.</p><p data-block-key=\"5vq8t\">“I said, ‘I’m press, I’m press,’” Johnson recalled. “And he said, ‘No, you’re not.’”</p><p data-block-key=\"f4u83\">Johnson said he had arrived unexpectedly at the unfolding scene and was not wearing his press credential at the time. Without warning, the officer shoved him, knocking him to the ground and sending his camera tumbling. The impact shattered its screen and lens.</p></div>\n<div class=\"w-block-instagram block-instagram\"><div class=\"instagram-embed\">\n\t<div>\n <blockquote\n\tclass=\"instagram-media\"\n\tdata-instgrm-permalink=\"https://www.instagram.com/p/Dayt5tEg9mr/?utm_source=ig_embed\"\n\tdata-instgrm-version=\"14\">\n\t<a class=\"btn btn-secondary\" href=\"https://www.instagram.com/p/Dayt5tEg9mr\">View post on Instagram</a>\n</blockquote>\n<script async src=\"https://www.instagram.com/embed.js\"></script>\n\n</div>\n\n</div>\n</div>\n<div class=\"w-block-rich_text block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"cu1a6\">Johnson, who is disabled from a previous stroke, said the fall left him with whiplash, muscle spasms, cuts and scrapes. Paramedics treated him at the scene before advising him to seek additional medical care.</p><p data-block-key=\"2mvj3\">A video Johnson later posted on Instagram captures the aftermath. In it, Johnson says he identified himself as press before officers “got very aggressive at me, got in my face and threw me to the ground, smashing my camera.” He later holds up the damaged camera, saying, “They are the most scared of this.”</p></div>\n<div class=\"w-block-instagram block-instagram\"><div class=\"instagram-embed\">\n\t<div>\n <blockquote\n\tclass=\"instagram-media\"\n\tdata-instgrm-permalink=\"https://www.instagram.com/p/DayaGEgg3SQ/?utm_source=ig_embed\"\n\tdata-instgrm-version=\"14\">\n\t<a class=\"btn btn-secondary\" href=\"https://www.instagram.com/p/DayaGEgg3SQ\">View post on Instagram</a>\n</blockquote>\n<script async src=\"https://www.instagram.com/embed.js\"></script>\n\n</div>\n\n</div>\n</div>\n<div class=\"w-block-rich_text block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"f77gj\">Two days later, Johnson received a citation for obstructing or interfering with a peace officer. He is scheduled to be arraigned Aug. 27.</p><p data-block-key=\"cvfpg\">“The fact that I’m asking the real questions and I’m getting assaulted like this, I think that speaks volumes about the state of press freedom,” Johnson told the Tracker.</p><p data-block-key=\"iu0d\">The St. Paul Police Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment.</p></div>",
"introduction": "",
"teaser": "",
"teaser_image": "https://media.pressfreedomtracker.us/media/images/Aaron_Johnson.2e16d0ba.fill-1330x880.png",
"primary_video": null,
"image_caption": "<p data-block-key=\"hics9\">Independent journalist Aaron Johnson shows the damage to his camera and lens after police threw him to the ground in St. Paul, Minnesota, while he was documenting officers chasing a suspect on foot on July 14, 2026.</p>",
"arresting_authority": null,
"arrest_status": null,
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"case_number": null,
"case_type": null,
"status_of_seized_equipment": null,
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"actor": "law enforcement",
"border_point": null,
"target_us_citizenship_status": null,
"denial_of_entry": false,
"stopped_previously": false,
"did_authorities_ask_for_device_access": null,
"did_authorities_ask_about_work": null,
"assailant": "law enforcement",
"was_journalist_targeted": "yes",
"charged_under_espionage_act": false,
"subpoena_type": null,
"name_of_business": null,
"third_party_business": null,
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"links": [],
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"equipment_broken": [
{
"quantity": 1,
"equipment": "camera"
},
{
"quantity": 1,
"equipment": "camera lens"
}
],
"state": {
"name": "Minnesota",
"abbreviation": "MN"
},
"updates": [],
"case_statuses": [],
"workers_whose_communications_were_obtained": [],
"target_nationality": [],
"targeted_institutions": [],
"tags": [],
"politicians_or_public_figures_involved": [],
"authors": [],
"categories": [
"Assault",
"Equipment Damage"
],
"targeted_journalists": [
"Aaron Johnson (Independent)"
],
"subpoena_statuses": null,
"type_of_denial": []
},
{
"title": "Reporter hit with skateboard while covering Maine immigration protest",
"url": "https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/reporter-hit-with-skateboard-while-covering-maine-immigration-protest/",
"first_published_at": "2026-07-24T21:35:54.193341Z",
"last_published_at": "2026-07-24T21:35:54.193341Z",
"latest_revision_created_at": "2026-07-24T21:35:54.083589Z",
"date": "2026-07-13",
"exact_date_unknown": false,
"city": "Biddeford",
"longitude": -70.45338,
"latitude": 43.49258,
"body": "<div class=\"w-block-rich_text block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"26trf\">Journalist Jon Fetherston was struck in the head with a skateboard by an individual, and his cellphone damaged, at a Biddeford, Maine, immigration enforcement protest on July 13, 2026.</p><p data-block-key=\"4jp7d\">Protesters <a href=\"https://mainemorningstar.com/2026/07/13/hundreds-protest-fatal-ice-shooting-in-biddeford/\">gathered in the Portland-area city</a> after an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer shot and killed a Colombian motorist earlier that day, with many expressing anger at ICE actions in the state.</p><p data-block-key=\"8fagn\">Fetherston, a reporter for the <a href=\"https://www.themainewire.com/\">Maine Wire</a> — a conservative digital media outlet and project of the nonprofit think tank Maine Policy Institute — told the U.S. Press Freedom Tracker that he was <a href=\"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=subN3nDDXvA\">livestreaming</a> the protest.</p><p data-block-key=\"4j5lr\">At <a href=\"https://www.youtube.com/live/subN3nDDXvA?t=2388s\">one point</a> in the livestream, a woman asks the reporter why he’s there, and he responds that he’s covering the event for the Maine Wire. Someone yells, “It’s not media, it’s propaganda.”</p><p data-block-key=\"7vumq\">Another woman blocks his camera and appears to hit him with a cardboard sign, which he asks her not to do. Then, a man walking with the crowd says, “You’re not a billionaire,” to which the reporter replies, “I don’t think you are either.”</p><p data-block-key=\"aest5\">The man then asks Fetherston why he’s there, and the reporter asks him the same question. The man says he’s there to protest, then slams Fetherston with a skateboard, knocking his cellphone to the ground. “Get the fuck out of here,” he says.</p><p data-block-key=\"e556e\">The Maine Wire <a href=\"https://x.com/TheMaineWire/status/2076712882301993142\">posted a clip</a> of the incident on the social platform X.</p></div>\n<div class=\"w-block-rich_text block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"26trf\">“I was struck in the head, and my phone went flying,” Fetherston told the Tracker. “I am fine; just a bump on my head and a headache.”</p><p data-block-key=\"ccdo4\">The man continues to engage with Fetherston, asking, “What do you want?” The reporter responds, “I don’t want anything other than for you not to hit me with your skateboard.”</p><p data-block-key=\"avcd\">Another woman is then seen yelling out of her car window, “Fuck the Maine Wire!”</p><p data-block-key=\"6rsfe\">Fetherston said he <a href=\"https://x.com/TheMaineWire/status/2077052716883357867?s=20\">filed a report</a> with the Biddeford Police Department the next day and asked for charges to be pressed against the individual who hit him. Biddeford police did not immediately respond to a request for comment on whether charges had been filed against the individual.</p><p data-block-key=\"e2od1\">The journalist added that he later had the screen on his iPhone replaced using his AppleCare insurance.</p><p data-block-key=\"bpvde\">Fetherston told the Tracker that he had been subjected to several instances of harassment while covering the protest, which can be seen in the livestream and in <a href=\"https://x.com/TheMaineWire/status/2077107340927525247?s=20\">social media</a> <a href=\"https://x.com/MaineWireJon/status/2077019396824879255?s=20\">posts</a>.</p><p data-block-key=\"ftcu1\">He added that while covering a <a href=\"https://mainemorningstar.com/2026/07/14/hundreds-protest-outside-scarborough-ice-facility-after-fatal-biddeford-shooting/\">protest</a> outside an ICE facility in nearby Scarborough, Maine, on July 14, someone <a href=\"https://x.com/TheMaineWire/status/2078149371149824138\">slashed</a> his <a href=\"https://x.com/TheMaineWire/status/2077069241409208345\">car’s tires</a>. He said he filed a police report, and that he believed he was targeted as a member of the media in that incident as well.</p><p data-block-key=\"cjqv\">Another Maine Wire reporter was <a href=\"https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/reporter-shoved-while-covering-maine-demonstration/\">shoved</a> while covering a demonstration the previous week, and Fetherston was <a href=\"https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/reporter-assaulted-at-city-council-meeting-in-maine/\">assaulted</a> at a city council meeting in January.</p><p data-block-key=\"3gvqu\">He said he believed the Maine Wire was targeted because it is a conservative outlet. “In one of the videos, I ask an angry protester, ‘Are you yelling at ABC, NBC and the CBS station? They are all here.’ The answer was no.”</p></div>",
"introduction": "",
"teaser": "",
"teaser_image": "https://media.pressfreedomtracker.us/media/images/Fetherston.2e16d0ba.fill-1330x880.png",
"primary_video": null,
"image_caption": "<p data-block-key=\"q9vkn\">An individual can be seen at left hitting Maine Wire reporter Jon Fetherston with a skateboard while he is livestreaming a July 13, 2026, protest in Biddeford, Maine. The blow knocked his phone to the ground, seen at right.</p>",
"arresting_authority": null,
"arrest_status": null,
"release_date": null,
"detention_date": null,
"unnecessary_use_of_force": false,
"case_number": null,
"case_type": null,
"status_of_seized_equipment": null,
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"actor": "private individual",
"border_point": null,
"target_us_citizenship_status": null,
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"stopped_previously": false,
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"did_authorities_ask_about_work": null,
"assailant": "private individual",
"was_journalist_targeted": "yes",
"charged_under_espionage_act": false,
"subpoena_type": null,
"name_of_business": null,
"third_party_business": null,
"legal_order_venue": null,
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"mistakenly_released_materials": false,
"links": [],
"equipment_seized": [],
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{
"quantity": 1,
"equipment": "cellphone"
}
],
"state": {
"name": "Maine",
"abbreviation": "ME"
},
"updates": [],
"case_statuses": [],
"workers_whose_communications_were_obtained": [],
"target_nationality": [],
"targeted_institutions": [],
"tags": [],
"politicians_or_public_figures_involved": [],
"authors": [],
"categories": [
"Assault",
"Equipment Damage"
],
"targeted_journalists": [
"Jon Fetherston (Maine Wire)"
],
"subpoena_statuses": null,
"type_of_denial": []
},
{
"title": "Todd Blanche targets press, leakers as acting attorney general",
"url": "https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/todd-blanche-targets-press-leakers-as-acting-attorney-general/",
"first_published_at": "2026-05-15T17:53:11.227000Z",
"last_published_at": "2026-09-04T16:29:36.417113Z",
"latest_revision_created_at": "2026-09-04T16:29:36.261707Z",
"date": "2026-07-13",
"exact_date_unknown": false,
"city": "Washington",
"longitude": -77.03637,
"latitude": 38.89511,
"body": "<div class=\"w-block-rich_text block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"f7fjk\">As President Donald Trump’s second term continued in 2026, he removed <a href=\"https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/pam-bondi-targets-journalists-leakers-as-us-attorney-general/\">Pam Bondi</a> as attorney general. Her deputy, now-Attorney General Todd Blanche, joined Trump in efforts to punish and intimidate news outlets that have covered Trump and his administration critically. We’re documenting Blanche’s efforts in this regularly updated report.</p><p data-block-key=\"eb0qq\">Read about how Trump’s appointees and allies in Congress are striving to chill reporting, revoke funding, censor critical coverage and more <a href=\"https://pressfreedomtracker.us/blog/trump-allies-pursue-multipronged-campaign-against-the-press/\">here</a>.</p><p data-block-key=\"e754c\"><i>This article was first published on May 15, 2026.</i></p></div>\n<div class=\"w-block-raw_html block-raw_html\"><p><a id=\"top\" name=\"top\"></a></p></div>\n<div class=\"w-block-rich_text block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"f7fjk\"></p><hr/><p data-block-key=\"d93s\"></p></div>\n<div class=\"w-block-raw_html block-raw_html\"><div class=\"article-content__block rich-text\"><p data-block-key=\"258po\">\r\n<p><a href=\"#July 13\">July 13, 2026 | Pentagon, DOJ launch joint task force to identify and prosecute leakers</a></p>\r\n<p><a href=\"#May 12\">May 12, 2026 | Acting attorney general defends DOJ subpoenas to WSJ, others</a></p>\r\n<p><a href=\"#April 7\">April 7, 2026 | Acting attorney general willing to subpoena journalists in leak investigations</a></p></div>\n<div class=\"w-block-rich_text block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"f7fjk\"></p><hr/><p data-block-key=\"d93s\"></p></div>\n<div class=\"w-block-raw_html block-raw_html\"><a id=\"July 13\" name=\"July 13\"></a></div>\n<div class=\"w-block-rich_text block-rich_text\"><h4 data-block-key=\"r2v0t\">July 13, 2026 | Pentagon, DOJ launch joint task force to identify and prosecute leakers</h4><p data-block-key=\"7b9og\"><a href=\"https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/defense-secretary-pete-hegseth-targets-news-outlets-leakers/\">Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth</a> announced on July 13, 2026, that he and acting Attorney General Todd Blanche have created a joint task force to expedite the identification and prosecution of those leaking to the media.</p><p data-block-key=\"52ss4\">In a <a href=\"https://x.com/SecWar/status/2076673841913344136\">video posted to social media</a>, Hegseth said that the Defense Department’s Office of General Counsel had been given the authority “to request and receive all information, records and support across the department concerning media leak investigations.”</p><p data-block-key=\"86epc\">He added that all department components and personnel will be expected to prioritize the OGC’s requests.</p><p data-block-key=\"e54ma\">“Access to confidential and secret information is a sacred trust, and those who betray that trust will be met with the full force of the law,” Hegseth said.</p><p data-block-key=\"8s7tj\">Neither the Justice Department nor Blanche made their own public announcements of the joint task force, and they did not respond to requests for comment.</p><p data-block-key=\"4h299\">The announcement came just days after the Justice Department subpoenaed <a href=\"https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/?date_lower=2026-07-10&date_upper=2026-07-10&targeted_institutions=The+New+York+Times\">multiple New York Times reporters</a>, seeking grand jury testimony “in regard to an alleged violation of federal criminal law.”</p><p data-block-key=\"21b7b\">The journalists, citing sources who only agreed to speak if kept anonymous, had reported that the Secret Service urged President Donald Trump to revert to the old Air Force One because the new, Qatari-donated aircraft lacks the same defensive countermeasures.</p><p data-block-key=\"b3qtg\">When asked about the subpoenas, a Justice Department spokesperson <a href=\"https://www.nytimes.com/2026/07/11/business/media/new-york-times-trump-subpoenas.html\">told the Times</a> that “reporters are not the targets, those leaking classified information are.”</p><p data-block-key=\"28h3l\">In April, Blanche affirmed his willingness to demand records and testimony from journalists as part of leak investigations, and the following month he defended the issuing of subpoenas to <a href=\"https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/?date_lower=2026-03-04&date_upper=2026-03-04&targeted_institutions=The+Wall+Street+Journal&categories=Subpoena%2FLegal+Order\">three Wall Street Journal reporters</a>. The Washington Post later reported that <a href=\"https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/doj-withdraws-subpoena-seeking-washington-post-reporters-testimony/\">one of its journalists</a> had been targeted in the investigation as well.</p></div>\n<div class=\"w-block-raw_html block-raw_html\"><div class=\"article-content__block rich-text\"><p data-block-key=\"258po\">\r\n<p><a href=\"#top\"><i>Back to Top</i></a></p></div>\r\n<a id=\"May 12\" name=\"May 12\"></a></div>\n<div class=\"w-block-rich_text block-rich_text\"><h4 data-block-key=\"f7fjk\">May 12, 2026 | Acting attorney general defends DOJ subpoenas to WSJ, others</h4><p data-block-key=\"p6id\">Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche defended the issuing of federal subpoenas to The Wall Street Journal as part of a leak investigation, after the legal orders were made public on May 11, 2026.</p><p data-block-key=\"7s95r\">In a May 12 social media post, Blanche <a href=\"https://x.com/DAGToddBlanche/status/2054197699486908639\">wrote</a>, “Prosecuting leakers who share our nation’s secrets with reporters, in turn risking our national security and the lives of our soldiers, is a priority for this administration.</p><p data-block-key=\"d7qvc\">“Any witness, whether a reporter or otherwise, who has information about these criminals should not be surprised if they receive a subpoena about the illegal leaking of classified material,” he continued.</p><p data-block-key=\"f7977\">A Justice Department official <a href=\"https://www.cbsnews.com/news/justice-department-wall-street-journal-subpoenas/\">emphasized to CBS News</a> the same day that the subpoenas were issued as part of an investigation into the source behind the leaks, not the journalists themselves.</p><p data-block-key=\"daqon\">Freedom of the Press Foundation, of which the U.S. Press Freedom Tracker is a project, <a href=\"https://freedom.press/issues/national-security-lies-fuel-wall-street-journal-probe/\">condemned</a> the subpoenas and the use of “national security” as justification.</p><p data-block-key=\"auj8c\">“These subpoenas are a direct threat to the public’s right to know, and the Journal is correct to fight them,” FPF Chief of Advocacy Seth Stern said. “Since the Department of Justice has abandoned the First Amendment, it’s up to the courts to restrain the government’s attempts to crush investigative journalism.”</p><p data-block-key=\"cj4b3\">The subpoenas to the Journal are just the latest instance of the news media being caught up in or deliberately targeted in federal investigations since then-Attorney General Pam Bondi <a href=\"https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/pam-bondi-targets-journalists-leakers-as-us-attorney-general/#April%2025\">rescinded Biden-era protections</a> for journalists in April 2025.</p><p data-block-key=\"ahqkq\">Earlier this year, the DOJ <a href=\"https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/washington-post-subpoenaed-as-part-of-doj-leak-investigation/\">subpoenaed</a> The Washington Post, and the FBI <a href=\"https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/washington-post-reporters-home-searched-by-fbi-devices-seized/\">executed a search warrant</a> at the home of its reporter, Hannah Natanson, seizing her equipment. Independent photojournalist <a href=\"https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/fbi-questions-oregon-photographer-about-protesters-identities/\">Robert Scherle</a> was questioned by two FBI agents at his home seeking information about protesters. And FBI Director Kash Patel has reportedly ordered investigations into <a href=\"https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/fbi-director-kash-patel-targets-press/#Feb%2028\">two</a> <a href=\"https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/fbi-director-kash-patel-targets-press/#May%206\">reporters</a> following unfavorable coverage.</p></div>\n<div class=\"w-block-raw_html block-raw_html\"><div class=\"article-content__block rich-text\"><p data-block-key=\"258po\">\r\n<p><a href=\"#top\"><i>Back to Top</i></a></p></div>\r\n<a id=\"April 7\" name=\"April 7\"></a></div>\n<div class=\"w-block-rich_text block-rich_text\"><h4 data-block-key=\"f7fjk\">April 7, 2026 | Acting attorney general willing to subpoena journalists in leak investigations</h4><p data-block-key=\"fpi77\">During his first press briefing as acting attorney general on April 7, 2026, Todd Blanche said he would not hesitate to subpoena members of the press to uncover sources behind leaks of classified information.</p><p data-block-key=\"31aph\">The previous day, President Donald Trump vowed to investigate the source behind a leak concerning the downing of a U.S. fighter jet by Iran.</p><p data-block-key=\"ch61v\">“We’re going to go to the media company that released it,” Trump said, “and we’re going to say, ‘National security — give it up or go to jail.’”</p><p data-block-key=\"1so1d\">When asked about Trump’s <a href=\"https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/06/business/media/trump-jail-journalists-fighter-crew.html\">comments</a>, Blanche <a href=\"https://www.c-span.org/program/news-conference/acting-attorney-general-todd-blanche-announces-developments-in-federal-fraud-cases/676945\">said</a> that classified information leaks will always be investigated.</p><p data-block-key=\"lc80\">“If that means sending a subpoena to the reporter, that’s exactly what we should do, and that’s exactly what we will be doing,” Blanche said. “If it means doing regular investigations to identify who within the government feels like it’s OK to leak classified information, to put lives at risk, then we’ll try to root him or her out as well.”</p></div>\n<div class=\"w-block-raw_html block-raw_html\"><div class=\"article-content__block rich-text\"><p data-block-key=\"258po\">\r\n<p><a href=\"#top\"><i>Back to Top</i></a></p></div></div>",
"introduction": "",
"teaser": "",
"teaser_image": "https://media.pressfreedomtracker.us/media/images/2026-04-29T204145Z_1143287252_RC2.2e16d0ba.fill-1330x880.jpg",
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"image_caption": "<p data-block-key=\"jrlkd\">Acting U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche at a news conference at the Department of Justice in Washington, D.C., on April 29, 2026.</p>",
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{
"title": "NY Times national security reporter subpoenaed by DOJ",
"url": "https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/ny-times-national-security-reporter-subpoenaed-by-doj/",
"first_published_at": "2026-07-13T18:13:23.779000Z",
"last_published_at": "2026-09-03T21:38:45.577294Z",
"latest_revision_created_at": "2026-09-03T21:38:45.387733Z",
"date": "2026-07-10",
"exact_date_unknown": false,
"city": "New York",
"longitude": -74.00597,
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"body": "<div class=\"w-block-rich_text block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"rbwqf\">Eric Schmitt, a national security correspondent for The New York Times, was subpoenaed by the U.S. Department of Justice on July 10, 2026, ordering him to appear in a New York City courtroom five days later.</p><p data-block-key=\"4eh43\">The Times <a href=\"https://www.nytimes.com/2026/07/11/business/media/new-york-times-trump-subpoenas.html\">reported</a> that Schmitt was one of <a href=\"https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/?date_lower=2026-07-10&date_upper=2026-07-31&targeted_institutions=The+New+York+Times&categories=Subpoena%2FLegal+Order\">several of its reporters</a> subpoenaed that day.</p><p data-block-key=\"4m7k8\">The journalists had reported days prior that, after taking his new Qatari-donated Air Force One on its maiden voyage, President Donald Trump <a href=\"https://www.nytimes.com/2026/07/08/us/politics/trump-air-force-one-security.html\">reverted</a> to the former plane at the urging of the Secret Service. Subsequent <a href=\"https://www.nytimes.com/2026/07/09/us/politics/new-air-force-one-defensive-countermeasures.html\">reporting</a> revealed that the new plane was not outfitted with the same defensive countermeasures.</p><p data-block-key=\"6gjsv\">Both articles cited sources who only agreed to discuss sensitive security issues on the condition of anonymity.</p><p data-block-key=\"917qn\">The Times reported that, prior to the first article publishing, a senior FBI official asked the newspaper to hold it, citing national security but declining to elaborate on the nature of the security issue. The official also asked the Times to identify its sources for the article; the newspaper refused.</p><p data-block-key=\"vt8\">FBI Director Kash Patel was tapped to oversee a leak investigation into the Times’ reporting, the newspaper <a href=\"https://www.nytimes.com/2026/07/11/us/politics/white-house-patel-investigation-times.html\">reported</a>. In a major departure from precedent, Patel ran his investigation from the White House and briefed senior administration officials.</p><p data-block-key=\"b4bvm\">In an <a href=\"https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.nysd.668455/gov.uscourts.nysd.668455.23.4.pdf\">affidavit</a> unsealed July 20, Schmitt said an FBI agent — outfitted with a holstered sidearm and an armored vest emblazoned with “FBI” — served him the subpoena in the driveway of his home at approximately 9 p.m.</p><p data-block-key=\"dn85o\">The <a href=\"https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.nysd.668455/gov.uscourts.nysd.668455.23.1_1.pdf\">subpoenas</a>, issued by U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York Jay Clayton, were vague, according to the Times, only compelling testimony “in regard to an alleged violation of federal criminal law.”</p><p data-block-key=\"d2cqo\">Clayton was nominated by Trump on June 11 to serve as director of national intelligence.</p><p data-block-key=\"ers77\">In a statement shared with the U.S. Press Freedom Tracker, the Times denounced the subpoenas and the federal government’s decision to serve some of the reporters at their homes.</p><p data-block-key=\"6egkh\">“The appearance of federal law enforcement agents on the doorstep of news reporters should shock the conscience of any American who believes in the Constitution and the press freedom it protects,” wrote David McCraw, the Times’s top newsroom lawyer.</p><p data-block-key=\"aom2u\">“Our journalists report the facts and advance the American public’s right to know how their government is operating and their taxpayer dollars are being used,” McCraw continued. “This brazen act should be seen as nothing more than an attempt to prevent the public from knowing what is happening in their country by intimidating journalists from doing their jobs.”</p><p data-block-key=\"421s0\">A Justice Department spokesperson told the Times that “reporters are not the targets, those leaking classified information are.”</p><p data-block-key=\"d68c3\">“We value and appreciate the important role that the press plays in this country, but D.O.J. also plays an important role to make sure that the people entrusted with our nation’s secrets do what they’re supposed to do with that information,” said spokesperson Emily Covington. “We recognize there may always be natural tension there, but we are not going to ignore the law.”</p><p data-block-key=\"neq3\">In an email sent to Times staff, and shared with the Tracker, Executive Editor Joseph Kahn called the subpoenas impulsive, and a naked attempt to intimidate the newspaper and its reporters, as well as the media as a whole. He added that the Times will “mount a full defense of our staff.”</p><p data-block-key=\"2b4ps\">“We expect to prevail. We have the best legal team in the business,” he wrote. “The law protects news gatherers from this sort of retaliatory abuse of prosecutorial power. It is essential that the courts reaffirm that protection and quash this overreach. We are confident they will in this case.”</p><p data-block-key=\"1cn8r\">An additional Times reporter, London-based Adam Goldman, is also expected to receive a subpoena in connection with the leak investigation, according to Kahn’s email.</p><p data-block-key=\"buab3\"><i>Update: This article has been revised to include details from court filings reviewed by the U.S. Press Freedom Tracker.</i></p></div>",
"introduction": "",
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"primary_video": null,
"image_caption": "<p data-block-key=\"14t3r\">President Donald Trump deboards the new Air Force One, a plane gifted by Qatar, in South Dakota on July 3, 2026. Multiple New York Times reporters were subpoenaed July 10 by the Justice Department after reporting on safety concerns with the aircraft.</p>",
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"name": "New York",
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"updates": [
"(2026-07-15 16:45:00+00:00) NY Times asks court to strike down DOJ subpoenas",
"(2026-07-23 22:05:00+00:00) DOJ withdraws subpoenas for NY Times reporter's records"
],
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{
"title": "NY Times reporters’ phone, text records targeted in secret DOJ subpoenas",
"url": "https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/ny-times-reporters-phone-text-records-targeted-in-secret-doj-subpoenas/",
"first_published_at": "2026-07-21T19:27:09.596000Z",
"last_published_at": "2026-07-23T22:37:02.175183Z",
"latest_revision_created_at": "2026-07-23T22:37:01.983675Z",
"date": "2026-07-10",
"exact_date_unknown": false,
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"longitude": -74.00597,
"latitude": 40.71427,
"body": "<div class=\"w-block-rich_text block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"ktfub\">Phone records for multiple New York Times reporters were targeted in secretive subpoenas issued by the Department of Justice starting on July 10, 2026, as part of a rushed investigation to identify the sources leaking information to the newspaper.</p><p data-block-key=\"a5rj9\">The journalists had reported on <a href=\"https://www.nytimes.com/2026/07/08/us/politics/trump-air-force-one-security.html\">July 8</a> and <a href=\"https://www.nytimes.com/2026/07/09/us/politics/new-air-force-one-defensive-countermeasures.html\">July 9</a> that, after taking his new Qatari-donated Air Force One on its maiden voyage to Turkey for a NATO meeting, Trump reverted to the former plane at the urging of the Secret Service because of safety concerns, including that it lacked the same defensive countermeasures.</p><p data-block-key=\"376r1\">On July 10, FBI Director Kash Patel was <a href=\"https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/fbi-director-kash-patel-targets-press/#July%2010\">tapped to oversee</a> a leak investigation into the Times’ reporting and, in a major departure from precedent, he ran the inquiry from the White House, establishing a “war room” with Trump’s <a href=\"https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/susie-wiles-intimidates-leakers-press-as-white-house-chief-of-staff/\">chief of staff Susie Wiles</a>.</p><p data-block-key=\"92h6\">That evening, FBI agents served grand jury testimony subpoenas to reporters <a href=\"https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/ny-times-intelligence-reporter-subpoenaed-by-doj-for-grand-jury-testimony/\">Julian E. Barnes</a>, <a href=\"https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/ny-times-investigative-reporter-subpoenaed-by-doj-for-testimony/\">Eric Lipton</a> and <a href=\"https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/ny-times-national-security-reporter-subpoenaed-by-doj/\">Eric Schmitt</a> at their homes. According to a <a href=\"https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.nysd.668455/gov.uscourts.nysd.668455.27.0.pdf\">letter</a> written by an attorney for the Times, the Justice Department also attempted but failed to serve similar subpoenas to journalists Adam Goldman and Tyler Pager.</p><p data-block-key=\"3o43p\">A week later, the DOJ revealed that it had also issued multiple subpoenas to phone service providers seeking call and text records for accounts believed to be associated with the five journalists. At least three of the numbers belonged to family members of the journalists, the newspaper <a href=\"https://www.nytimes.com/2026/07/20/business/media/new-york-times-subpoenas-phone-records.html\">reported</a>.</p><p data-block-key=\"9esab\">In a <a href=\"https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.nysd.668455/gov.uscourts.nysd.668455.27.0.pdf\">letter</a> to U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian, attorneys for the Times wrote that while the department served “<a href=\"https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/ny-times-reporters-phone-text-records-secretly-targeted-in-doj-subpoenas\">some</a>” of the subpoenas July 10, additional requests were sent on <a href=\"https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/ny-times-reporters-phone-records-sought-in-secret-doj-subpoenas\">July 14</a> and <a href=\"https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/ny-times-reporters-phone-text-records-sought-by-doj-in-secret-subpoenas\">July 16</a>.</p><p data-block-key=\"8t9dt\">The U.S. Press Freedom Tracker was unable to confirm the precise number of subpoenas issued or which journalists were targeted in each. At least two of the subpoenas also sought records dating back to Jan. 1, but it was not immediately clear which.</p><p data-block-key=\"627v6\"><a href=\"https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.nysd.668455/gov.uscourts.nysd.668455.29.0.pdf\">According to the DOJ</a>, the last two subpoenas were issued after it was determined that the provider that had been served initially did not host the underlying phone number. The department also revealed that the July 16 subpoena was issued to Google along with a nondisclosure order issued by a different judge and under the false impression that the investigation was not public.</p><p data-block-key=\"8bj7i\">Attorneys for the Times asked the court July 18 to consider the third-party subpoenas alongside the grand jury requests in their motion to quash, arguing that they only further demonstrated the irregularity of the department’s requests.</p><p data-block-key=\"b6i4c\">“These actions demonstrate abuse of the grand jury process, continued bad-faith attacks on the Journalists, violations of the Department’s own internal regulations, and disregard for the law in this Circuit intended to protect critical First Amendment interests,” wrote attorney David O’Neil. “They raise pressing questions about the conduct of this purported national security investigation and confirm the absence of any regularity in the department’s use of the grand jury in this case.”</p><p data-block-key=\"bke9g\">The department, in its response, argued that the investigation is ongoing, and asked that the court place a two-week hold on all of the subpoenas in order for it to pursue “particular investigative steps.”</p><p data-block-key=\"cpt1n\">The DOJ also said that it has asked the service providers to postpone turning over records for the time being.</p><p data-block-key=\"9u05g\">A hearing on the Times’ motion to quash the subpoenas — understood to concern all of them — is scheduled for July 23.</p></div>",
"introduction": "",
"teaser": "",
"teaser_image": "https://media.pressfreedomtracker.us/media/images/2020-08-03T182246Z_1669922841_RC2.2e16d0ba.fill-1330x880.jpg",
"primary_video": null,
"image_caption": "<p data-block-key=\"bbj0g\">Phone records for multiple New York Times reporters were subpoenaed by the Justice Department in July 2026 as part of an attempt to uncover their confidential sources. Above, the Times building in New York City in 2020.</p>",
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"name": "New York",
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"(2026-07-23 22:18:00+00:00) DOJ withdraws subpoenas for testimony from NY Times reporters"
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"tags": [
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"categories": [
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{
"title": "Photographer struck by Proud Boy at LA rally",
"url": "https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/photographer-struck-by-proud-boy-at-la-rally/",
"first_published_at": "2026-07-16T14:36:15.260000Z",
"last_published_at": "2026-07-16T17:15:21.953676Z",
"latest_revision_created_at": "2026-07-16T17:15:21.821605Z",
"date": "2026-07-10",
"exact_date_unknown": false,
"city": "Los Angeles",
"longitude": -118.24368,
"latitude": 34.05223,
"body": "<div class=\"w-block-rich_text block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"c74nm\">Independent photographer Jonny Morales was punched in the face by a right-wing extremist while documenting a political protest in downtown Los Angeles, California, on July 10, 2026.</p><p data-block-key=\"75rtu\">Morales went to City Hall to photograph a news conference organized by far-right political activists, two of whom were among the Jan. 6, 2021, defendants pardoned by President Donald Trump.</p><p data-block-key=\"7k053\">The event, which centered on Spencer Pratt’s failed campaign for mayor of LA and allegations of voter fraud after he lost in the primary, drew counterprotesters.</p><p data-block-key=\"dthr4\">When Morales arrived, one of the organizers had been punched, and clashes were breaking out between individuals at the rally and others gathered outside the news conference.</p><p data-block-key=\"4fhgo\">“I felt it was important to document,” Morales said.</p><p data-block-key=\"amuh8\">Morales said he was photographing the scene when another organizer, <a href=\"https://www.instagram.com/p/DaqGQMNK3g4/\">a member</a> of the far-right Proud Boys, struck a woman, who stumbled backward, dazed, and fell into Morales. The man then aimed his fists at Morales.</p><p data-block-key=\"ajvrv\">“He started swinging toward me like a lunatic; it’s just disgusting violence, basically,” Morales said.</p></div>\n<div class=\"w-block-instagram block-instagram\"><div class=\"instagram-embed\">\n\t<div>\n <blockquote\n\tclass=\"instagram-media\"\n\tdata-instgrm-permalink=\"https://www.instagram.com/p/Dav_wMLSq2O/?utm_source=ig_embed\"\n\tdata-instgrm-version=\"14\">\n\t<a class=\"btn btn-secondary\" href=\"https://www.instagram.com/p/Dav_wMLSq2O\">View post on Instagram</a>\n</blockquote>\n<script async src=\"https://www.instagram.com/embed.js\"></script>\n\n</div>\n\n</div>\n</div>\n<div class=\"w-block-rich_text block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"c74nm\">In a video posted to Instagram, a shirtless man can be seen punching Morales, who is wearing a jean jacket and holding a camera. The journalist then falls to the ground.</p><p data-block-key=\"7krst\">Morales, who was not wearing press credentials at the time, said he confronted the individual, telling him that he had just attacked a member of the press. According to Morales, the man responded by accusing him of being a counterprotester. Later, the individual allowed Morales to photograph him.</p></div>\n<div class=\"w-block-rich_text block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"c74nm\">Morales said the same man had also punched him at an <a href=\"https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/photographer-punched-by-proud-boy-at-la-protest/\">earlier protest in June</a>. He and <a href=\"https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/photographer-hit-with-pepper-spray-by-proud-boy-at-la-rally/\">another photojournalist</a>, whom the individual also pepper-sprayed on July 10, have filed a police report.</p><p data-block-key=\"aq2no\">After the assault, Morales said he experienced jaw pain and headaches. At first, he did not believe he had been targeted because he was focused on photographing the event. After reviewing videos of the incident, however, he said he believes otherwise.</p><p data-block-key=\"vk6b\">“They did stop me from pursuing my job, my work, being a journalist,” Morales said. “These guys should be held accountable for their actions.”</p></div>",
"introduction": "",
"teaser": "",
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"primary_video": null,
"image_caption": "<p data-block-key=\"7c32f\">A far-right activist punches independent photographer Jonny Morales, whose arm and camera are visible in the frame, during a political protest outside City Hall in Los Angeles, California, on July 10, 2026.</p>",
"arresting_authority": null,
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"assailant": "private individual",
"was_journalist_targeted": "yes",
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"name_of_business": null,
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"state": {
"name": "California",
"abbreviation": "CA"
},
"updates": [],
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"tags": [
"election",
"protest"
],
"politicians_or_public_figures_involved": [],
"authors": [],
"categories": [
"Assault"
],
"targeted_journalists": [
"Jonny Morales (Independent)"
],
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},
{
"title": "Andrea Lucas targets news media as equal employment opportunity chair",
"url": "https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/andrea-lucas-targets-news-media-as-equal-employment-opportunity-chair/",
"first_published_at": "2026-05-08T16:31:27.345000Z",
"last_published_at": "2026-07-20T20:54:18.819056Z",
"latest_revision_created_at": "2026-07-20T20:54:12.890692Z",
"date": "2026-07-10",
"exact_date_unknown": false,
"city": "Washington",
"longitude": -77.03637,
"latitude": 38.89511,
"body": "<div class=\"w-block-rich_text block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"8qzfs\">As President Donald Trump’s second term continued in 2026, his Equal Employment Opportunity Commission chair, Andrea Lucas, used her office to further Trump’s efforts to punish and intimidate news outlets that have covered him and his administration critically. We’re documenting her efforts in this regularly updated report.</p><p data-block-key=\"2trv6\">Read about how Trump’s appointees and allies in Congress are striving to chill reporting, revoke funding, censor critical coverage and more <a href=\"https://pressfreedomtracker.us/blog/trump-allies-pursue-multipronged-campaign-against-the-press/\">here</a>.</p><p data-block-key=\"andha\"><i>This article was first published on May 8, 2026.</i></p><hr/><p data-block-key=\"6van7\"></p></div>\n<div class=\"w-block-raw_html block-raw_html\"><p><a id=\"top\" name=\"top\"></a></p>\r\n<div class=\"article-content__block rich-text\"><p data-block-key=\"258po\">\r\n<p><a href=\"#July 10\">July 10, 2026 | NYT alleges EEOC suit violated First Amendment</a></p>\r\n<p><a href=\"#May 5\">May 5, 2026 | EEOC files lawsuit alleging discriminatory hiring practices at NYT</a></p></div>\n<div class=\"w-block-rich_text block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"8qzfs\"></p><hr/><p data-block-key=\"a5fer\"></p></div>\n<div class=\"w-block-raw_html block-raw_html\"><a id=\"July 10\" name=\"July 10\"></a></div>\n<div class=\"w-block-rich_text block-rich_text\"><h4 data-block-key=\"c96d2\">July 10, 2026 | NYT alleges EEOC suit violated First Amendment</h4><p data-block-key=\"7fln1\">The New York Times alleged in a July 10, 2026, federal court filing that the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission violated its First and Fifth amendment rights when the agency sued the paper over alleged discrimination against a white male employee.</p><p data-block-key=\"256kh\">The EEOC’s May <a href=\"https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.nysd.663349/gov.uscourts.nysd.663349.1.0.pdf\">complaint</a> asserts that the Times’ diversity goals and production of annual diversity and inclusion reports demonstrate an institutional practice of discrimination against white men.</p><p data-block-key=\"1r0rj\">In a social media post <a href=\"https://x.com/USEEOC/status/2051776336432099375\">announcing</a> the suit, the commission highlighted that a “qualified white male employee was excluded from final interviews” while only non-white males were selected, and that the role went to another candidate “with less relevant experience.”</p><p data-block-key=\"ecu97\">In its July counterclaim, the Times <a href=\"https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.nysd.663349/gov.uscourts.nysd.663349.28.0.pdf\">said</a> that the EEOC’s complaint, which came soon after it published two articles about the agency, was an act of retaliation for its critical coverage of the Trump administration and EEOC Chair Andrea Lucas.</p><p data-block-key=\"77dk4\">One of those articles cited employees who said they felt pressured to bring cases alleging discrimination against white men and antisemitism on college campuses, the Times <a href=\"https://www.nytimes.com/2026/07/10/business/media/new-york-times-eeoc-lawsuit.html\">reported</a>.</p><p data-block-key=\"raa8\">“The commission’s retaliatory, bad faith use of its authority to target The Times violates the First and Fifth Amendments,” lawyers for the news organization wrote, adding that it “poses a uniquely insidious threat to a free and independent press.”</p><p data-block-key=\"ef7ta\">The white male employee, Bryant Rousseau, had sought a deputy real estate editor position but was not selected; the role ultimately went to a multiracial woman. Rousseau, who resigned from the paper in June, filed a separate claim in the same case that month, according to <a href=\"https://www.nytimes.com/2026/07/10/business/media/new-york-times-eeoc-lawsuit.html\">the Times</a>.</p><p data-block-key=\"b9hr7\">The paper said it had informed the EEOC before the filing of the agency’s May lawsuit that “candidates of color of both sexes <i>with more real estate experience than Rousseau</i> also were not advanced during the hiring process.”</p><p data-block-key=\"fbcsr\">The Times also cited numerous other reasons that the selected candidate was the most qualified person for the job.</p><p data-block-key=\"a56li\">“The facts here preclude any claim that Rousseau was discriminated against,” the Times’ attorneys wrote in asking the court to dismiss the complaint.</p></div>\n<div class=\"w-block-raw_html block-raw_html\"><div class=\"article-content__block rich-text\"><p data-block-key=\"258po\">\r\n<p><a href=\"#top\"><i>Back to Top</i></a></p></div>\r\n<a id=\"May 5\" name=\"May 5\"></a></div>\n<div class=\"w-block-rich_text block-rich_text\"><h4 data-block-key=\"8qzfs\">May 5, 2026 | EEOC files lawsuit alleging discriminatory hiring practices at NYT</h4><p data-block-key=\"b9mr6\">The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission sued The New York Times on May 5, 2026, following a monthslong investigation led by Chair Andrea Lucas over the newspaper’s alleged discrimination against a white male employee.</p><p data-block-key=\"121ri\">The <a href=\"https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.nysd.663349/gov.uscourts.nysd.663349.1.0.pdf\">complaint</a> asserts that the Times’ diversity goals and production of annual diversity and inclusion reports demonstrate an institutional practice of discrimination against white men.</p><p data-block-key=\"dj47j\">In a social media post <a href=\"https://x.com/USEEOC/status/2051776336432099375\">announcing</a> the suit, the EEOC highlighted that a “qualified white male employee was excluded from final interviews” while only non-white males were selected, and that the role went to another candidate “with less relevant experience.”</p><p data-block-key=\"5vre3\">“No one is above the law — including ‘elite’ institutions,” Lucas said in a statement. “No matter the size or power of the employer, the EEOC under my leadership will not pull punches in ensuring evenhanded, colorblind enforcement of Title VII to protect America’s workers, including white males.”</p><p data-block-key=\"d0jj5\">Times spokesperson Danielle Rhoades Ha <a href=\"https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/03/business/economy/eeoc-discrimination-claim-new-york-times.html?partner=slack&smid=sl-share\">called</a> the allegations “politically motivated,” asserting that they represent just the latest effort to leverage the tools of the federal government to pursue President Donald Trump’s personal aims.</p><p data-block-key=\"2m3t\">“Throughout this process, the E.E.O.C. deviated from standard practices in highly unusual ways, blatantly weaponizing a traditionally independent government body to serve a predetermined narrative,” Rhoades Ha told the Times. “We will defend ourselves and our values vigorously as there is not a single piece of evidence to support any claim of discrimination.”</p><p data-block-key=\"bb87v\">Kalpana Kotagal, the sole Democrat on the commission, voted against authorizing the lawsuit. In a <a href=\"https://www.linkedin.com/posts/kalpana-kotagal-26998b72_i-voted-against-authorizing-litigation-against-share-7457508684823212033-fCb_/\">post on social media</a>, she argued that a commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility alone is not evidence of discrimination.</p><p data-block-key=\"511q2\">“These programs are critical to building and maintaining successful workplaces as well as attracting and retaining top talent,” Kotagal wrote. “I fear this litigation is driven not by the merits, but by a desire to advance the administration’s political agenda, which weakens civil rights protections for workers and undermines employer efforts to advance equal employment opportunity.</p><p data-block-key=\"2uhsl\">“Notably, this litigation is filed on the heels of New York Times reporting on the weaponization of the agency, and the diversion of limited resources toward cases that align with the administration’s priorities,” she added.</p></div>\n<div class=\"w-block-raw_html block-raw_html\"><div class=\"article-content__block rich-text\"><p data-block-key=\"258po\">\r\n<p><a href=\"#top\"><i>Back to Top</i></a></p></div></div>",
"introduction": "",
"teaser": "",
"teaser_image": "https://media.pressfreedomtracker.us/media/images/2025-12-18T213031Z_452698786_RC26.2e16d0ba.fill-1330x880.jpg",
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"image_caption": "<p data-block-key=\"ubcqd\">U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission Chair Andrea Lucas in her office in Washington, D.C., on Dec. 18, 2025.</p>",
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{
"title": "Susie Wiles intimidates leakers, press as White House chief of staff",
"url": "https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/susie-wiles-intimidates-leakers-press-as-white-house-chief-of-staff/",
"first_published_at": "2026-07-21T18:02:06.312567Z",
"last_published_at": "2026-07-21T18:02:06.312567Z",
"latest_revision_created_at": "2026-07-21T17:58:32.617688Z",
"date": "2026-07-10",
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"city": "Washington",
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"latitude": 38.89511,
"body": "<div class=\"w-block-rich_text block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"6db50\">As White House chief of staff and Donald Trump’s closest aide, Susie Wiles has supported the president in taking steps to intimidate leakers and members of the news media. We’re documenting her efforts in this regularly updated report.</p><p data-block-key=\"bamb\">Read about how Trump’s appointees and allies in Congress are striving to chill reporting, revoke funding, censor critical coverage and more <a href=\"https://pressfreedomtracker.us/blog/trump-allies-pursue-multipronged-campaign-against-the-press/\">here</a>.</p><p data-block-key=\"308gt\"><i>This article was first published on July 21, 2026.</i></p></div>\n<div class=\"w-block-raw_html block-raw_html\"><p><a id=\"top\" name=\"top\"></a></p></div>\n<div class=\"w-block-rich_text block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"6db50\"></p><hr/><p data-block-key=\"h3rn\"></p></div>\n<div class=\"w-block-raw_html block-raw_html\"><div class=\"article-content__block rich-text\"><p data-block-key=\"258po\">\r\n<p><a href=\"#July 10\">July 10, 2026 | Wiles asks for White House staffers’ phones in leak investigation</a></p></div>\n<div class=\"w-block-rich_text block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"6db50\"></p><hr/><p data-block-key=\"h3rn\"></p></div>\n<div class=\"w-block-raw_html block-raw_html\"><a id=\"July 10\" name=\"July 10\"></a></div>\n<div class=\"w-block-rich_text block-rich_text\"><h4 data-block-key=\"6db50\">July 10, 2026 | Wiles asks for White House staffers’ phones in leak investigation</h4><p data-block-key=\"4ae57\">Susie Wiles — President Donald Trump’s chief of staff and his closest aide — orchestrated an expansive leak investigation at the White House alongside FBI Director Kash Patel on July 10, 2026.</p><p data-block-key=\"a7p20\">The pair sought to identify the source behind The New York Times’ <a href=\"https://www.nytimes.com/2026/07/08/us/politics/trump-air-force-one-security.html\">recent</a> reporting that, after taking his new Qatari-donated Air Force One on its maiden voyage to Turkey for a NATO meeting, Trump reverted to the former plane at the urging of the Secret Service. Subsequent<a href=\"https://www.nytimes.com/2026/07/09/us/politics/new-air-force-one-defensive-countermeasures.html\"> reporting</a> revealed that the new plane was not outfitted with the same defensive countermeasures.</p><p data-block-key=\"bgg1\">Patel was tapped to oversee a leak investigation into the Times’ coverage, the newspaper<a href=\"https://www.nytimes.com/2026/07/11/us/politics/white-house-patel-investigation-times.html\"> reported</a>, and in a major departure from precedent, he ran his July 10 inquiry from the White House.</p><p data-block-key=\"70c2b\">CNN <a href=\"https://www.cnn.com/2026/07/15/politics/susie-wiles-kash-patel-leak\">reported</a> that Patel and Wiles established a “war room” next to her office in the West Wing and directly oversaw the investigation, which included asking officials from various agencies who had traveled with Trump or had a role in his trip to turn over their cellphones for review.</p><p data-block-key=\"5he14\">Later that day, a U.S. attorney issued <a href=\"https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/?date_lower=2026-07-10&date_upper=2026-07-17&targeted_institutions=The+New+York+Times&categories=Subpoena%2FLegal+Order\">multiple subpoenas</a> targeting the Times: three were issued to the Times reporters behind the articles, demanding they appear to testify about their confidential sources. At least two others were issued to a phone provider seeking subscriber information and usage reports for accounts connected to the journalists.</p><p data-block-key=\"b14ur\">Additional third-party subpoenas seeking the journalists’ records were issued July 14 and July 16.</p><p data-block-key=\"9l5p2\">In a statement to CNN, a White House official said: “Leaks that jeopardize the safety of the President, his staff, and the traveling press pool are dangerous and a threat to national security. The White House takes these leaks seriously and will do everything legally to ensure the individual or individuals are caught and it does not happen again.”</p><p data-block-key=\"e5f1u\">The Times has filed a motion to quash the subpoenas and has asked the court to unseal its filings in the interest of public access.</p></div>\n<div class=\"w-block-raw_html block-raw_html\"><div class=\"article-content__block rich-text\"><p data-block-key=\"258po\">\r\n<p><a href=\"#top\"><i>Back to Top</i></a></p></div></div>",
"introduction": "",
"teaser": "",
"teaser_image": "https://media.pressfreedomtracker.us/media/images/2025-12-18T201016Z_664251451_RC26.2e16d0ba.fill-1330x880.jpg",
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"image_caption": "<p data-block-key=\"at5ei\">White House chief of staff Susie Wiles in the Oval Office in Washington, D.C., in December 2025.</p>",
"arresting_authority": null,
"arrest_status": null,
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"The New York Times"
],
"tags": [
"Donald Trump"
],
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"categories": [
"Chilling Statement"
],
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},
{
"title": "NY Times investigative reporter subpoenaed by DOJ for testimony",
"url": "https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/ny-times-investigative-reporter-subpoenaed-by-doj-for-testimony/",
"first_published_at": "2026-07-13T18:14:53.662000Z",
"last_published_at": "2026-09-03T21:40:18.878278Z",
"latest_revision_created_at": "2026-09-03T21:40:18.709305Z",
"date": "2026-07-10",
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"city": "New York",
"longitude": -74.00597,
"latitude": 40.71427,
"body": "<div class=\"w-block-rich_text block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"tacgz\">Eric Lipton, an investigative reporter for The New York Times, was subpoenaed by the U.S. Department of Justice on July 10, 2026, ordering him to appear in a New York City courtroom five days later.</p><p data-block-key=\"9ft4q\">The Times <a href=\"https://www.nytimes.com/2026/07/11/business/media/new-york-times-trump-subpoenas.html\">reported</a> that Lipton was one of <a href=\"https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/?date_lower=2026-07-10&date_upper=2026-07-31&targeted_institutions=The+New+York+Times&categories=Subpoena%2FLegal+Order\">several of its reporters</a> subpoenaed that day.</p><p data-block-key=\"6i71\">The journalists had reported days prior that, after taking his new Qatari-donated Air Force One on its maiden voyage, President Donald Trump <a href=\"https://www.nytimes.com/2026/07/08/us/politics/trump-air-force-one-security.html\">reverted</a> to the former plane at the urging of the Secret Service. Subsequent <a href=\"https://www.nytimes.com/2026/07/09/us/politics/new-air-force-one-defensive-countermeasures.html\">reporting</a> revealed that the new plane was not outfitted with the same defensive countermeasures.</p><p data-block-key=\"g0dc\">Both articles cited sources who only agreed to discuss sensitive security issues on the condition of anonymity.</p><p data-block-key=\"e2uoh\">The Times reported that, prior to the first article publishing, a senior FBI official asked the newspaper to hold it, citing national security but declining to elaborate on the nature of the security issue. The official also asked the Times to identify its sources for the article; the newspaper refused.</p><p data-block-key=\"402rd\">FBI Director Kash Patel was tapped to oversee a leak investigation into the Times’ reporting, the newspaper <a href=\"https://www.nytimes.com/2026/07/11/us/politics/white-house-patel-investigation-times.html\">reported</a>. In a major departure from precedent, Patel ran his investigation from the White House and briefed senior administration officials.</p><p data-block-key=\"2i7e2\">In an <a href=\"https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.nysd.668455/gov.uscourts.nysd.668455.23.5.pdf\">affidavit</a> unsealed July 20, Lipton said two FBI agents wearing clothing bearing FBI logos and insignia served him the subpoena at his home at approximately 9 p.m.</p><p data-block-key=\"co4b9\">The <a href=\"https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.nysd.668455/gov.uscourts.nysd.668455.23.1_1.pdf\">subpoenas</a>, issued by U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York Jay Clayton, were vague, according to the Times, only compelling testimony “in regard to an alleged violation of federal criminal law.”</p><p data-block-key=\"91eoi\">Clayton was nominated by Trump on June 11 to serve as director of national intelligence.</p><p data-block-key=\"58gs1\">In a statement shared with the U.S. Press Freedom Tracker, the Times denounced the subpoenas and the federal government’s decision to serve some of the reporters at their homes.</p><p data-block-key=\"1cqc3\">“The appearance of federal law enforcement agents on the doorstep of news reporters should shock the conscience of any American who believes in the Constitution and the press freedom it protects,” wrote David McCraw, the Times’s top newsroom lawyer.</p><p data-block-key=\"esra\">“Our journalists report the facts and advance the American public’s right to know how their government is operating and their taxpayer dollars are being used,” McCraw continued. “This brazen act should be seen as nothing more than an attempt to prevent the public from knowing what is happening in their country by intimidating journalists from doing their jobs.”</p><p data-block-key=\"arqg6\">A Justice Department spokesperson told the Times that “reporters are not the targets, those leaking classified information are.”</p><p data-block-key=\"ca310\">“We value and appreciate the important role that the press plays in this country, but D.O.J. also plays an important role to make sure that the people entrusted with our nation’s secrets do what they’re supposed to do with that information,” said spokesperson Emily Covington. “We recognize there may always be natural tension there, but we are not going to ignore the law.”</p><p data-block-key=\"51una\">In an email sent to Times staff, and shared with the Tracker, Executive Editor Joseph Kahn called the subpoenas impulsive, and a naked attempt to intimidate the newspaper and its reporters, as well as the media as a whole. He added that the Times will “mount a full defense of our staff.”</p><p data-block-key=\"7rlnk\">“We expect to prevail. We have the best legal team in the business,” he wrote. “The law protects news gatherers from this sort of retaliatory abuse of prosecutorial power. It is essential that the courts reaffirm that protection and quash this overreach. We are confident they will in this case.”</p><p data-block-key=\"1r46d\">An additional Times reporter, London-based Adam Goldman, is also expected to receive a subpoena in connection with the leak investigation, according to Kahn’s email.</p><p data-block-key=\"be8ou\"><i>Update: This article has been revised to include details from court filings reviewed by the U.S. Press Freedom Tracker.</i></p></div>",
"introduction": "",
"teaser": "",
"teaser_image": "https://media.pressfreedomtracker.us/media/images/2026-07-02T011631Z_1366946712_RC2.2e16d0ba.fill-1330x880.jpg",
"primary_video": null,
"image_caption": "<p data-block-key=\"i3fc1\">President Donald Trump deboards the new Air Force One, a plane gifted by Qatar, in Maryland on July 1, 2026. Multiple New York Times reporters were subpoenaed July 10 by the Justice Department after reporting on safety concerns with the aircraft.</p>",
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"legal_order_venue": "Federal",
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"links": [],
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"state": {
"name": "New York",
"abbreviation": "NY"
},
"updates": [
"(2026-07-15 16:46:00+00:00) NY Times asks court to strike down DOJ subpoenas",
"(2026-07-23 21:48:00+00:00) DOJ withdraws subpoenas for NY Times reporter's records"
],
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"tags": [
"Department of Justice"
],
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"authors": [],
"categories": [
"Subpoena/Legal Order"
],
"targeted_journalists": [
"Eric Lipton (The New York Times)"
],
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},
{
"title": "Editor questioned by officials at Virginia airport; phone seized and searched",
"url": "https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/editor-questioned-by-officials-at-virginia-airport-phone-seized-and-searched/",
"first_published_at": "2026-07-21T21:02:01.298000Z",
"last_published_at": "2026-08-21T17:58:37.099273Z",
"latest_revision_created_at": "2026-08-21T17:58:36.853455Z",
"date": "2026-07-10",
"exact_date_unknown": false,
"city": "Dulles",
"longitude": null,
"latitude": null,
"body": "<div class=\"w-block-rich_text block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"4jch5\">Journalist Max Blumenthal was stopped, questioned and had his cellphones seized and searched by U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents at Washington Dulles International Airport in Virginia after returning from a reporting trip to Iran on July 10, 2026.</p><p data-block-key=\"de8b1\">Blumenthal had traveled to Iran on a press visa to cover the funeral of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei for <a href=\"https://thegrayzone.com/2026/07/13/israeli-influence-max-blumenthals-devices-tehran-reporting/\">The Grayzone,</a> the online news outlet he edits and founded in 2015.</p><p data-block-key=\"6u7s5\">While there, he covered official press events alongside reporters from other U.S. news organizations. He also reported on the aftermath of the joint U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran, and interviewed government officials and residents for a series of videos and articles.</p><p data-block-key=\"dcu1r\">Blumenthal told the U.S. Press Freedom Tracker that the boarding pass for his connecting flight from Istanbul, Turkey, to Dulles was flagged for secondary screening before he arrived in the United States.</p><p data-block-key=\"28bh1\">When he landed, CBP officers escorted him to a secondary inspection room, where he waited about 30 minutes before being questioned, according to <a href=\"https://adc.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/002-Memorandum-in-Support.pdf\">a federal lawsuit</a> filed later against Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin.</p></div>\n<div class=\"w-block-tweet block-tweet\"><div class=\"tweet-embed\">\n <div>\n <blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">The <a href=\"https://x.com/adc?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">@adc</a> has filed a lawsuit on my behalf against DHS Sec. Markwayne Mullin over the seizure of my phones upon my return from reporting in Iran<br><br>It is clear to me I was targeted because of my journalism - for exposing US-Israeli atrocities and expressing views that upset the… <a href=\"https://t.co/3wg1CsXQQJ\">pic.twitter.com/3wg1CsXQQJ</a></p>— Max Blumenthal (@MaxBlumenthal) <a href=\"https://x.com/MaxBlumenthal/status/2077863944203444420?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">July 16, 2026</a></blockquote>\n<script async src=\"https://platform.x.com/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"></script>\n\n\n</div>\n\n</div>\n</div>\n<div class=\"w-block-rich_text block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"4jch5\">Officers searched Blumenthal’s carry-on bags and asked whether he felt threatened while reporting in Iran, whether he had been compensated for interviews he conducted there, how he paid for his travel and whether he planned to return to Iran.</p><p data-block-key=\"a2q3n\">After about 10 minutes of questioning, officers accompanied Blumenthal to baggage claim, where they also searched his checked luggage, according to the federal complaint. They then told him they needed to examine his two cellphones to look for evidence of criminal activity or child sexual abuse material.</p><p data-block-key=\"6dpea\">When Blumenthal declined to provide the passcodes, officers seized both his cellphones. One officer told him they were going to “hook them up to machines” to extract data from them, according to the lawsuit. Blumenthal was detained for about 2 1/2 hours before being released without his phones.</p><p data-block-key=\"eabt7\">Blumenthal said he has never been accused of or convicted of a crime, and that officers had no basis to suspect him of criminal activity. He questioned why they seized only his phones, rather than his laptop or digital camera, if they were searching for such material.</p><p data-block-key=\"9rmft\">Blumenthal told the Tracker that the stop came after conservative activist Laura Loomer, <a href=\"https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/04/us/politics/trump-nsc-firings-laura-loomer.html\">who has been an informal adviser</a> to President Donald Trump, <a href=\"https://x.com/LauraLoomer/status/2073934330158886922?s=20\">publicly urged</a> the administration to arrest him.</p><p data-block-key=\"alsvi\">He said the CBP officers’ questions mirrored Loomer’s accusations and that he believes he was targeted because he reports critically, and sometimes shares his opinion, on U.S. foreign policy and Israel.</p><p data-block-key=\"89m0f\">“It’s pretty obvious that I’m being targeted for political reasons and for my reporting,” Blumenthal said. “The only political activity I engage in is reporting. I don’t do activism, I don’t organize protests, I’m not running for office.”</p><p data-block-key=\"fkd4m\">The search of Blumenthal’s cellphones could expose the identities of his confidential sources, communications with his contacts, unpublished reporting and the methods by which he conducts his journalism, the lawsuit alleged.</p><p data-block-key=\"91tnh\">“Every journalist should be concerned and especially vigilant when the First and Fourth amendments are subjugated ruthlessly in order to repress those who are perceived as enemies for their reporting,” Blumenthal told the Tracker.</p><p data-block-key=\"5g5i\">After he filed his lawsuit on July 16 seeking the return of his devices, Blumenthal posted on social platform X that he had received a phone call informing him that he could retrieve them.</p></div>\n<div class=\"w-block-tweet block-tweet\"><div class=\"tweet-embed\">\n <div>\n <blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Soon after <a href=\"https://x.com/adc?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">@adc</a> filed a lawsuit against DHS Secretary Mullin for the illegal seizure of my devices, I received a call from CBP informing me that I could retrieve them<br><br>This does not make our case moot, however<br><br>I demand the return of any information, data, or copies obtained from… <a href=\"https://t.co/g9PIGp3jvT\">pic.twitter.com/g9PIGp3jvT</a></p>— Max Blumenthal (@MaxBlumenthal) <a href=\"https://x.com/MaxBlumenthal/status/2078559261114700007?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">July 18, 2026</a></blockquote>\n<script async src=\"https://platform.x.com/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"></script>\n\n\n</div>\n\n</div>\n</div>\n<div class=\"w-block-rich_text block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"4jch5\">“This does not make our case moot, however,” he wrote. “I demand the return of any information, data, or copies obtained from my phones, and will be exploring further action related to the violation of my First and Fourth amendment rights.”</p><p data-block-key=\"bbrsv\">In a response to a request for comment, CBP said in a statement that anyone entering the U.S. is subject to inspection.</p><p data-block-key=\"6um7i\">“Additional scrutiny and increased inspection may be conducted, including if an individual has worked in or traveled to a high-risk country such as a State Sponsor of Terrorism, including Iran,” the statement said.</p><p data-block-key=\"9p5df\">The statement did not address agents’ questions about Blumenthal’s journalistic work or the seizure of his cell phones.</p><p data-block-key=\"klp3\">Blumenthal was also <a href=\"https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/editor-stopped-and-questioned-by-official-at-virginia-airport/\">stopped by CBP in 2025</a> after returning from a vacation in Nicaragua.</p><p data-block-key=\"b2qpb\"><i>Update: This article was revised to include a comment from Customs and Border Protection.</i></p></div>",
"introduction": "",
"teaser": "",
"teaser_image": "https://media.pressfreedomtracker.us/media/images/Blumenthal_phones.2e16d0ba.fill-1330x880.jpg",
"primary_video": null,
"image_caption": "<p data-block-key=\"nz2ag\">Journalist Max Blumenthal holds up his two cellphones, which were seized and searched by U.S. Customs and Border Protection at Dulles International Airport in Virginia on July 10, 2026. They were later returned.</p>",
"arresting_authority": null,
"arrest_status": null,
"release_date": null,
"detention_date": null,
"unnecessary_use_of_force": false,
"case_number": "1:26-mc-00016",
"case_type": "CIVIL",
"status_of_seized_equipment": "returned in full",
"is_search_warrant_obtained": false,
"actor": null,
"border_point": "Washington Dulles International Airport",
"target_us_citizenship_status": "U.S. citizen",
"denial_of_entry": false,
"stopped_previously": true,
"did_authorities_ask_for_device_access": "yes",
"did_authorities_ask_about_work": "yes",
"assailant": null,
"was_journalist_targeted": null,
"charged_under_espionage_act": false,
"subpoena_type": null,
"name_of_business": null,
"third_party_business": null,
"legal_order_venue": null,
"status_of_prior_restraint": null,
"mistakenly_released_materials": false,
"links": [],
"equipment_seized": [
{
"quantity": 2,
"equipment": "cellphone"
},
{
"quantity": 2,
"equipment": "work product"
}
],
"equipment_broken": [],
"state": {
"name": "Virginia",
"abbreviation": "VA"
},
"updates": [
"(2026-08-17 10:43:00+00:00) Editor sues federal agencies over cellphone seizure at Virginia airport"
],
"case_statuses": [
"ongoing"
],
"workers_whose_communications_were_obtained": [],
"target_nationality": [
"United States"
],
"targeted_institutions": [],
"tags": [
"Department of Homeland Security"
],
"politicians_or_public_figures_involved": [],
"authors": [],
"categories": [
"Border Stop",
"Equipment Search or Seizure"
],
"targeted_journalists": [
"Max Blumenthal (The Grayzone)"
],
"subpoena_statuses": null,
"type_of_denial": []
},
{
"title": "FBI Director Kash Patel targets press",
"url": "https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/fbi-director-kash-patel-targets-press/",
"first_published_at": "2026-04-20T19:46:25.941000Z",
"last_published_at": "2026-07-24T23:10:37.440603Z",
"latest_revision_created_at": "2026-07-24T23:10:37.298193Z",
"date": "2026-07-10",
"exact_date_unknown": false,
"city": "Washington",
"longitude": -77.03637,
"latitude": 38.89511,
"body": "<div class=\"w-block-rich_text block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"j0t80\">As President Donald Trump’s second term continued in 2026, his FBI director, Kash Patel, took steps to punish and intimidate news outlets that have covered Trump and his administration critically. We’re documenting Patel’s efforts in 2026 in this regularly updated report.</p><p data-block-key=\"e52s8\">Also read about <a href=\"https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/kash-patel-targets-press-leakers-as-fbi-director/\">Patel’s efforts in 2025</a>, and how Trump’s appointees and allies in Congress are striving<a href=\"https://pressfreedomtracker.us/blog/trump-allies-pursue-multipronged-campaign-against-the-press/\"> to chill reporting, revoke funding, censor critical coverage</a> and more.</p><p data-block-key=\"fekh9\"><i>This article was first published on April 20, 2026.</i></p></div>\n<div class=\"w-block-raw_html block-raw_html\"><p><a id=\"top\" name=\"top\"></a></p></div>\n<div class=\"w-block-rich_text block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"g23md\"></p><hr/><p data-block-key=\"2shan\"></p></div>\n<div class=\"w-block-raw_html block-raw_html\"><div class=\"article-content__block rich-text\"><p data-block-key=\"258po\">\r\n<p><a href=\"#July 10\">July 10, 2026 | Patel asks for White House staffers’ phones in leak investigation</a></p>\r\n<p><a href=\"#May 7\">May 7, 2026 | Patel orders polygraphs for his security detail, other staff <i>(updated)</i></a></p>\r\n<p><a href=\"#May 6\">May 6, 2026 | FBI investigates reporter who wrote about Patel’s alleged excess drinking <i>(updated)</i></a></p>\r\n<p><a href=\"#April 20\">April 20, 2026 | Patel sues The Atlantic for defamation</a></p>\r\n<p><a href=\"#Feb 28\">Feb. 28, 2026 | FBI investigates reporter who wrote about Patel’s girlfriend</a></p></div>\n<div class=\"w-block-rich_text block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"j0t80\"></p><hr/><p data-block-key=\"fu1kb\"></p></div>\n<div class=\"w-block-raw_html block-raw_html\"><a id=\"July 10\" name=\"July 10\"></a></div>\n<div class=\"w-block-rich_text block-rich_text\"><h4 data-block-key=\"f0u98\">July 10, 2026 | Patel asks for White House staffers’ phones in leak investigation</h4><p data-block-key=\"dsa1u\">FBI Director Kash Patel and President Donald Trump’s chief of staff <a href=\"/all-incidents/susie-wiles-intimidates-leakers-press-as-white-house-chief-of-staff/\">Susie Wiles</a> orchestrated an expansive leak investigation at the White House on July 10, 2026.</p><p data-block-key=\"9bhfl\">The pair sought to identify the source behind The New York Times’ <a href=\"https://www.nytimes.com/2026/07/08/us/politics/trump-air-force-one-security.html\">recent</a> reporting that, after taking his new Qatari-donated Air Force One on its maiden voyage to Turkey for a NATO meeting, Trump reverted to the former plane at the urging of the Secret Service. Subsequent<a href=\"https://www.nytimes.com/2026/07/09/us/politics/new-air-force-one-defensive-countermeasures.html\"> reporting</a> revealed that the new plane was not outfitted with the same defensive countermeasures.</p><p data-block-key=\"1ghi\">Patel was tapped to oversee a leak investigation into the Times’ coverage, the newspaper<a href=\"https://www.nytimes.com/2026/07/11/us/politics/white-house-patel-investigation-times.html\"> reported</a>, and in a major departure from precedent, he ran his July 10 inquiry from the White House.</p><p data-block-key=\"bude8\">CNN <a href=\"https://www.cnn.com/2026/07/15/politics/susie-wiles-kash-patel-leak\">reported</a> that Patel, along with Wiles, Trump’s closest aide, had established a “war room” in the West Wing and directly oversaw the investigation, which included asking officials from various agencies who had traveled with Trump or had a role in his trip to turn over their cellphones for review.</p><p data-block-key=\"4cu6k\">Later that day, a U.S. attorney issued <a href=\"https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/?date_lower=2026-07-10&date_upper=2026-07-17&targeted_institutions=The+New+York+Times&categories=Subpoena%2FLegal+Order\">multiple subpoenas</a> targeting the Times: three were issued to the Times reporters behind the articles, demanding they appear to testify about their confidential sources. At least two others were issued to a phone provider seeking subscriber information and usage reports for accounts connected to the journalists.</p><p data-block-key=\"1h4pu\">Additional third-party subpoenas seeking the journalists’ records were issued July 14 and July 16.</p><p data-block-key=\"aa0kq\">In a statement to CNN, a White House official said: “Leaks that jeopardize the safety of the President, his staff, and the traveling press pool are dangerous and a threat to national security. The White House takes these leaks seriously and will do everything legally to ensure the individual or individuals are caught and it does not happen again.”</p><p data-block-key=\"8j8bm\">The Times has filed a motion to quash the subpoenas and has asked the court to unseal its filings in the interest of public access.</p></div>\n<div class=\"w-block-raw_html block-raw_html\"><div class=\"article-content__block rich-text\"><p data-block-key=\"258po\">\r\n<p><a href=\"#top\"><i>Back to Top</i></a></p></div>\r\n<a id=\"May 7\" name=\"May 7\"></a></div>\n<div class=\"w-block-rich_text block-rich_text\"><h4 data-block-key=\"nubk3\">May 7, 2026 | Patel orders polygraphs for his security detail, other staff <i>(updated May 2026)</i></h4><p data-block-key=\"5o3mf\">FBI Director Kash Patel has ordered polygraphs for more than two dozen members of his security detail and other staff as part of his quest to unmask those who’ve spoken with the press, MS NOW <a href=\"https://www.ms.now/news/kash-patel-ordered-polygraphs-of-more-than-two-dozen-members-of-his-team-sources-tell-ms-now\">reported</a> on May 7, 2026.</p><p data-block-key=\"6t9kr\">Following an April 17 <a href=\"https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/2026/04/kash-patel-fbi-director-drinking-absences/686839/\">article</a> by Atlantic reporter Sarah Fitzpatrick on Patel’s alleged excessive drinking, erratic behavior and absences from the agency’s headquarters, the FBI director has <a href=\"https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/fbi-director-kash-patel-targets-press/#April%2020\">sued</a> the magazine and Fitzpatrick, and <a href=\"https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/fbi-director-kash-patel-targets-press/#May%206\">opened an investigation</a> into her.</p><p data-block-key=\"9khb6\">According to MS NOW, Patel has also isolated himself from some senior bureau leaders. FBI spokesman Ben Williamson disputed those claims, telling MS NOW Patel has been regularly meeting with operational leaders. Williamson declined to comment, however, on whether Patel ordered polygraphs.</p><p data-block-key=\"fvp62\">During a hearing before the U.S. Senate on May 12, Patel vehemently <a href=\"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GKj-MqYPpUI\">denied</a> allegations about his conduct and that he had subordinates sit for polygraph examinations over the recent reports. “I don’t order any polygraph tests,” he insisted.</p><p data-block-key=\"4k0o0\">The New York Times <a href=\"https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/12/us/politics/kash-patel-hearing-fbi-drinking.html\">reported</a> that multiple people familiar with recent polygraphs and internal investigations said that they were ordered by the director.</p><p data-block-key=\"7ara\">Patel had <a href=\"https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/kash-patel-targets-press-leakers-as-fbi-director/#April%2028\">previously announced</a> the use of polygraphs to identify the sources behind leaks to the media in April 2025, and <a href=\"https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/tulsi-gabbard-targets-press-leakers-as-national-intelligence-director/#March%2014\">similar efforts</a> <a href=\"https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/pete-hegseth-targets-news-outlets-leakers-as-defense-secretary/#March%2021\">have been</a> <a href=\"https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/kristi-noem-targets-press-leakers-as-homeland-security-secretary/#May%2020\">undertaken</a> by other agency heads.</p></div>\n<div class=\"w-block-raw_html block-raw_html\"><div class=\"article-content__block rich-text\"><p data-block-key=\"258po\">\r\n<p><a href=\"#top\"><i>Back to Top</i></a></p></div>\r\n<a id=\"May 6\" name=\"May 6\"></a></div>\n<div class=\"w-block-rich_text block-rich_text\"><h4 data-block-key=\"rxrxm\">May 6, 2026 | FBI investigates reporter who wrote about Patel’s alleged excess drinking <i>(updated May 2026)</i></h4><p data-block-key=\"5bomc\">The FBI is conducting a criminal leak investigation focused on Atlantic journalist Sarah Fitzpatrick, <a href=\"https://www.ms.now/news/fbi-investigating-leaks-to-journalist-who-wrote-explosive-article-on-kash-patel-sources\">MS NOW reported</a> on May 6, 2026, following her exclusive reporting on Director Kash Patel’s alleged excessive drinking, erratic behavior and absences from the agency’s headquarters.</p><p data-block-key=\"4l8i9\">Fitzpatrick’s <a href=\"https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/2026/04/kash-patel-fbi-director-drinking-absences/686839/\">article</a>, published April 17, reported that Patel’s conduct on the job has included “conspicuous inebriation and unexplained absences,” and that more than two dozen sources, including current and former FBI officials, “described Patel’s tenure as a management failure and his personal behavior as a national-security vulnerability.”</p><p data-block-key=\"6nvh3\">Patel <a href=\"https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/73213220/1/patel-v-the-atlantic-monthly-group-llc/\">sued</a> The Atlantic and Fitzpatrick for defamation April 20, claiming that the article’s allegations were “designed to destroy Director Patel’s reputation and drive him from office,” and demanding $250 million in damages.</p><p data-block-key=\"394m6\">MS NOW reported that two sources close to the matter confirmed that an investigation focusing on Fitzpatrick was underway, but during a hearing before the U.S. Senate on May 12, Patel vehemently <a href=\"https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2026/05/12/kash-patel-senate-hearing-drinking-updates--live/90027796007/#glc90049384007\">denied</a> its existence.</p><p data-block-key=\"cd1n6\">“I can tell you unequivocally, this FBI is targeting and investigating no journalists,” Patel said.</p><p data-block-key=\"5s8gp\">Such an investigation could enable federal agents to obtain her phone records, examine her social media networks and run her name through the bureau’s databases.</p><p data-block-key=\"1qvms\">In an email to subscribers, Atlantic Editor-in-Chief Jeffrey Goldberg wrote that such an investigation, if true, would be disturbing. But, he added, the magazine will defend itself and its staff vigorously.</p><p data-block-key=\"85qtk\">“We will not be intimidated by illegitimate investigations or other acts of politically motivated retaliation; we will continue to cover the FBI professionally, fairly, and thoroughly; and we will continue to practice journalism in the public interest,” Goldberg continued.</p><p data-block-key=\"1ckhr\">“This isn’t our first rodeo. We’ve faced extraordinary government pressure, and Trump-administration calumny, before. We live in a period in which some media organizations buckle under government pressure. I promise you that we will never give in. If a story is true, we will publish it.”</p></div>\n<div class=\"w-block-raw_html block-raw_html\"><div class=\"article-content__block rich-text\"><p data-block-key=\"258po\">\r\n<p><a href=\"#top\"><i>Back to Top</i></a></p></div>\r\n<a id=\"April 20\" name=\"April 20\"></a></div>\n<div class=\"w-block-rich_text block-rich_text\"><h4 data-block-key=\"j0t80\">April 20, 2026 | Patel sues The Atlantic for defamation</h4><p data-block-key=\"epb33\">Attorneys for FBI Director Kash Patel sued The Atlantic and its reporter, Sarah Fitzpatrick, on April 20, 2026, accusing them of defaming him in an article about Patel’s alleged erratic behavior and poor job performance.</p><p data-block-key=\"dm0qg\">Fitzpatrick’s <a href=\"https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/2026/04/kash-patel-fbi-director-drinking-absences/686839/\">article</a>, published April 17, reported that Patel’s conduct on the job has included “conspicuous inebriation and unexplained absences,” and that more than two dozen sources, including current and former FBI officials, “described Patel’s tenure as a management failure and his personal behavior as a national-security vulnerability.”</p><p data-block-key=\"75ll2\">Patel’s lack of availability has exacerbated bureaucratic delays at the FBI, Fitzpatrick reported, and his alleged excessive drinking may have led to his sharing inaccurate information about active law enforcement investigations.</p><p data-block-key=\"n8v5\">Fitzpatrick quoted a statement from the FBI, attributed to Patel, responding to her list of questions: “Print it, all false, I’ll see you in court—bring your checkbook.”</p><p data-block-key=\"30ekd\">The day the article was published, Patel’s attorney Jesse Binnall <a href=\"https://x.com/jbinnall/status/2045287437325254768/photo/1\">posted</a> a letter on social platform X that he said he had sent to The Atlantic and Fitzpatrick, alleging that Fitzpatrick’s questions had contained false claims and threatening legal action if those claims were published.</p><p data-block-key=\"a0j4l\">Three days later, Patel’s attorneys filed their <a href=\"https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/73213220/1/patel-v-the-atlantic-monthly-group-llc/\">complaint</a> in federal court for defamation, claiming that the article’s allegations were “designed to destroy Director Patel’s reputation and drive him from office,” and that the article’s publication was done with “actual malice,” and demanded $250 million in damages.</p><p data-block-key=\"oghf\">“The statements,” the complaint argued, “falsely assert that the Director of the FBI—the nation’s chief federal law-enforcement officer—is a habitual drunk, unable to perform the duties of his office, is a threat to public safety, is vulnerable to foreign coercion, has violated DOJ ethics rules, is unreachable in emergencies, has required the deployment of ‘breaching equipment’ to extract him from locked rooms, allows alcohol to influence his public statements about criminal investigations, and behaves erratically in a manner that compromises national security.”</p><p data-block-key=\"c97un\">The Atlantic <a href=\"https://x.com/TheAtlanticPR/status/2046239419422675189\">responded</a> to the suit on X, writing: “We stand by our reporting on Kash Patel, and we will vigorously defend <i>The Atlantic</i> and our journalists against this meritless lawsuit.”</p></div>\n<div class=\"w-block-raw_html block-raw_html\"><div class=\"article-content__block rich-text\"><p data-block-key=\"258po\">\r\n<p><a href=\"#top\"><i>Back to Top</i></a></p></div>\r\n<a id=\"Feb 28\" name=\"Feb 28\"></a></div>\n<div class=\"w-block-rich_text block-rich_text\"><h4 data-block-key=\"pab1u\">Feb. 28, 2026 | FBI investigates reporter who wrote about Patel’s girlfriend</h4><p data-block-key=\"3lqb1\">The FBI investigated New York Times reporter Elizabeth Williamson after she published a report on Feb. 28, 2026, that the agency’s director, Kash Patel, had provided unprecedented transportation and security resources for his girlfriend.</p><p data-block-key=\"bt8r5\">FBI agents searched databases for information on Williamson and recommended further investigation to determine whether she had broken federal stalking laws while reporting the story, the Times <a href=\"https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/22/us/politics/fbi-times-reporter.html\">reported</a> April 22.</p><p data-block-key=\"12r3o\">Justice Department officials, however, “determined there was no legal basis to proceed with the investigation,” and the FBI dropped the case.</p><p data-block-key=\"20o3s\">Williamson had reported that Patel’s girlfriend, country singer Alexis Wilkins, has been assigned an escort of SWAT personnel and that “Mr. Patel’s demand that rotating SWAT teams provide his girlfriend with security for singing appearances, personal engagements and errands is unprecedented in the F.B.I.”</p><p data-block-key=\"64dbu\">The day the article was published, Wilkins received a threatening, anonymous email, which she forwarded to the FBI, the Times wrote. The email’s alleged sender was later criminally prosecuted and said they had sent the email after reading Williamson’s article, according to an affidavit in the case.</p><p data-block-key=\"1lt5b\">The FBI then interviewed Wilkins, who said she felt “harassed” by Williamson’s reporting, which had involved reaching out to numerous people who knew her. Agents then launched the investigation into Williamson, citing laws against stalking and threats as justification.</p><p data-block-key=\"5m6kf\">Times Executive Editor Joseph Kahn called the investigation “alarming,” telling the paper, “The F.B.I.’s attempt to criminalize routine reporting is a blatant violation of Elizabeth’s First Amendment rights and another attempt by this administration to prevent journalists from scrutinizing its actions.”</p></div>\n<div class=\"w-block-raw_html block-raw_html\"><div class=\"article-content__block rich-text\"><p data-block-key=\"258po\">\r\n<p><a href=\"#top\"><i>Back to Top</i></a></p></div></div>",
"introduction": "",
"teaser": "",
"teaser_image": "https://media.pressfreedomtracker.us/media/images/FBI_Director_Kash_Patel_testifies.2e16d0ba.fill-1330x880.jpg",
"primary_video": null,
"image_caption": "<p data-block-key=\"y8qlo\">FBI Director Kash Patel testifies before the Senate Intelligence Committee in Washington, D.C., on March 18, 2026.</p>",
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"name": "District of Columbia",
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},
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"The Atlantic",
"The New York Times"
],
"tags": [
"Department of Justice",
"Donald Trump"
],
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"categories": [
"Chilling Statement"
],
"targeted_journalists": [
"Sarah Fitzpatrick (The Atlantic)",
"Elizabeth Williamson (The New York Times)"
],
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},
{
"title": "Photographer hit with pepper spray by Proud Boy at LA rally",
"url": "https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/photographer-hit-with-pepper-spray-by-proud-boy-at-la-rally/",
"first_published_at": "2026-07-16T14:37:01.098659Z",
"last_published_at": "2026-07-16T14:37:01.098659Z",
"latest_revision_created_at": "2026-07-16T14:36:47.709117Z",
"date": "2026-07-10",
"exact_date_unknown": false,
"city": "Los Angeles",
"longitude": -118.24368,
"latitude": 34.05223,
"body": "<div class=\"w-block-rich_text block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"xwiff\">Independent photographer Christopher Almaraz was hit with chemical irritant by a right-wing extremist while documenting a political protest in downtown Los Angeles, California, on July 10, 2026.</p><p data-block-key=\"30ko2\">Almaraz went to City Hall to photograph a news conference organized by far-right political activists, two of whom were among the Jan. 6, 2021, defendants pardoned by President Donald Trump.</p><p data-block-key=\"lif\">The event, which centered on Spencer Pratt’s failed campaign for mayor of LA and allegations of voter fraud after he lost in the primary, drew counterprotesters.</p><p data-block-key=\"9s1jo\">During the protest, one of the organizers was punched and knocked to the ground. Almaraz said another organizer, <a href=\"https://www.instagram.com/p/DaqGQMNK3g4/\">a member</a> of the far-right Proud Boys, then began pepper-spraying people in the crowd and turned toward him.</p><p data-block-key=\"ful56\">Almaraz, who publishes his work on social media and <a href=\"https://substack.com/@almoofum?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android&r=4xmi3c&utm_content=link_in_bio&fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQPOTM2NjE5NzQzMzkyNDU5AAGnVermJeerHHu2i-WNwCYPKPHQexQs-x3yqJHyI_7m00zZTeDQHXe90ydw8-w_aem_ugLwzcfqdFWs3wwO0z8aoA&utm_id=97760_v0_s00_e0_tv3\">Substack</a>, and is working on a documentary project, said he gestured to his clothing to identify himself as a member of the press.</p><p data-block-key=\"fc80u\">According to Almaraz, the Proud Boy warned him not to move behind him. Almaraz, who said he often works close to the action to capture photographs, continued documenting the scene. When the man warned him again, Almaraz told him not to tell him what to do.</p><p data-block-key=\"eeolr\">“And right when I said that, he Maced me,” Almaraz told the U.S. Press Freedom Tracker.</p><p data-block-key=\"5ok76\">Almaraz said the man continued pepper-spraying people nearby. At that point, he said, he tried to stop him.</p><p data-block-key=\"85cbg\">“I know what I was doing at that point was no longer acting as a member of the press,” Almaraz said. “I just wanted to stop him from macing people and incapacitate him as fast as possible.”</p><p data-block-key=\"f25cu\">During the ensuing struggle, Almaraz said he was struck in the head with a pepper-spray can, which fractured his skull and required three stitches.</p><p data-block-key=\"ff46q\">Also at the protest that day, the same individual punched another <a href=\"/all-incidents/photographer-struck-by-proud-boy-at-la-rally/\">photographer</a> in the face. Both photographers said they filed police reports following the incidents.</p></div>",
"introduction": "",
"teaser": "",
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"primary_video": null,
"image_caption": "<p data-block-key=\"m85mq\">A far-right activist pepper-sprays people at a political protest in Los Angeles, California, on July 10, 2026. Photographer Christopher Almaraz was hit by the chemical irritant while documenting the event.</p>",
"arresting_authority": null,
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"assailant": "private individual",
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"name": "California",
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},
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"tags": [
"chemical irritant",
"election",
"protest"
],
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"Assault"
],
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"Christopher Almaraz (Independent)"
],
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},
{
"title": "NY Times intelligence reporter subpoenaed by DOJ for grand jury testimony",
"url": "https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/ny-times-intelligence-reporter-subpoenaed-by-doj-for-grand-jury-testimony/",
"first_published_at": "2026-07-13T18:08:34.772000Z",
"last_published_at": "2026-09-03T21:39:17.572041Z",
"latest_revision_created_at": "2026-09-03T21:39:17.382746Z",
"date": "2026-07-10",
"exact_date_unknown": false,
"city": "New York",
"longitude": -74.00597,
"latitude": 40.71427,
"body": "<div class=\"w-block-rich_text block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"c6bq2\">Julian E. Barnes, an intelligence and security reporter for The New York Times, was subpoenaed by the U.S. Department of Justice on July 10, 2026, ordering him to appear in a New York City courtroom five days later.</p><p data-block-key=\"bp45\">The Times <a href=\"https://www.nytimes.com/2026/07/11/business/media/new-york-times-trump-subpoenas.html\">reported</a> that Barnes was one of <a href=\"https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/?date_lower=2026-07-10&date_upper=2026-07-31&targeted_institutions=The+New+York+Times&categories=Subpoena%2FLegal+Order\">several of its reporters</a> subpoenaed that day.</p><p data-block-key=\"6oeie\">The journalists had reported days prior that, after taking his new Qatari-donated Air Force One on its maiden voyage, President Donald Trump <a href=\"https://www.nytimes.com/2026/07/08/us/politics/trump-air-force-one-security.html\">reverted</a> to the former plane at the urging of the Secret Service. Subsequent <a href=\"https://www.nytimes.com/2026/07/09/us/politics/new-air-force-one-defensive-countermeasures.html\">reporting</a> revealed that the new plane was not outfitted with the same defensive countermeasures.</p><p data-block-key=\"cl0ff\">Both articles cited sources who only agreed to discuss sensitive security issues on the condition of anonymity.</p><p data-block-key=\"a4bk4\">The Times reported that, prior to the first article publishing, a senior FBI official asked the newspaper to hold it, citing national security but declining to elaborate on the nature of the security issue. The official also asked the Times to identify its sources for the article; the newspaper refused.</p><p data-block-key=\"chr7n\">FBI Director Kash Patel was tapped to oversee a leak investigation into the Times’ reporting, the newspaper <a href=\"https://www.nytimes.com/2026/07/11/us/politics/white-house-patel-investigation-times.html\">reported</a>. In a major departure from precedent, Patel ran his investigation from the White House and briefed senior administration officials.</p><p data-block-key=\"9n2qt\">In an <a href=\"https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.nysd.668455/gov.uscourts.nysd.668455.23.3.pdf\">affidavit</a> unsealed July 20, Barnes said two FBI agents, dressed in FBI apparel, served him the subpoena at his home shortly before 8:30 p.m.</p><p data-block-key=\"cknnv\">The <a href=\"https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.nysd.668455/gov.uscourts.nysd.668455.23.1_1.pdf\">subpoenas</a>, issued by U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York Jay Clayton, were vague, according to the Times, only compelling testimony “in regard to an alleged violation of federal criminal law.”</p><p data-block-key=\"7mf1s\">Clayton was nominated by Trump on June 11 to serve as director of national intelligence.</p><p data-block-key=\"1iu3k\">In a statement shared with the U.S. Press Freedom Tracker, the Times denounced the subpoenas and the federal government’s decision to serve some of the reporters at their homes.</p><p data-block-key=\"9h7v8\">“The appearance of federal law enforcement agents on the doorstep of news reporters should shock the conscience of any American who believes in the Constitution and the press freedom it protects,” wrote David McCraw, the Times’s top newsroom lawyer.</p><p data-block-key=\"3vc8h\">“Our journalists report the facts and advance the American public’s right to know how their government is operating and their taxpayer dollars are being used,” McCraw continued. “This brazen act should be seen as nothing more than an attempt to prevent the public from knowing what is happening in their country by intimidating journalists from doing their jobs.”</p><p data-block-key=\"935pc\">A Justice Department spokesperson told the Times that “reporters are not the targets, those leaking classified information are.”</p><p data-block-key=\"ei14d\">“We value and appreciate the important role that the press plays in this country, but D.O.J. also plays an important role to make sure that the people entrusted with our nation’s secrets do what they’re supposed to do with that information,” said spokesperson Emily Covington. “We recognize there may always be natural tension there, but we are not going to ignore the law.”</p><p data-block-key=\"vl7p\">In an email sent to Times staff, and shared with the Tracker, Executive Editor Joseph Kahn called the subpoenas impulsive, and a naked attempt to intimidate the newspaper and its reporters, as well as the media as a whole. He added that the Times will “mount a full defense of our staff.”</p><p data-block-key=\"391cm\">“We expect to prevail. We have the best legal team in the business,” he wrote. “The law protects news gatherers from this sort of retaliatory abuse of prosecutorial power. It is essential that the courts reaffirm that protection and quash this overreach. We are confident they will in this case.”</p><p data-block-key=\"cbc04\">An additional Times reporter, London-based Adam Goldman, is also expected to receive a subpoena in connection with the leak investigation, according to Kahn’s email.</p><p data-block-key=\"9nn4i\"><i>Update: This article has been revised to include details from court filings reviewed by the U.S. Press Freedom Tracker.</i></p></div>",
"introduction": "",
"teaser": "",
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"primary_video": null,
"image_caption": "<p data-block-key=\"chqtj\">President Donald Trump deboards the new Air Force One, a plane gifted by Qatar, in South Dakota on July 3, 2026. Multiple New York Times reporters were subpoenaed July 10 by the Justice Department after reporting on safety concerns with the aircraft.</p>",
"arresting_authority": null,
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"legal_order_venue": "Federal",
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"state": {
"name": "New York",
"abbreviation": "NY"
},
"updates": [
"(2026-07-15 16:41:00+00:00) NY Times asks court to strike down DOJ subpoenas",
"(2026-07-23 22:12:00+00:00) DOJ withdraws subpoenas for NY Times reporter's records"
],
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"tags": [
"Department of Justice"
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"categories": [
"Subpoena/Legal Order"
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{
"title": "NY Times reporters’ phone, text records secretly targeted in DOJ subpoenas",
"url": "https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/ny-times-reporters-phone-text-records-secretly-targeted-in-doj-subpoenas/",
"first_published_at": "2026-07-21T20:00:44.570000Z",
"last_published_at": "2026-08-06T15:14:34.702200Z",
"latest_revision_created_at": "2026-08-06T15:14:34.570567Z",
"date": "2026-07-10",
"exact_date_unknown": false,
"city": "New York",
"longitude": -74.00597,
"latitude": 40.71427,
"body": "<div class=\"w-block-rich_text block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"pgcij\">Phone records for multiple New York Times reporters were targeted in secretive subpoenas issued by the Department of Justice starting on July 10, 2026, as part of a rushed investigation to identify the sources leaking information to the newspaper.</p><p data-block-key=\"8qova\">The journalists had reported on <a href=\"https://www.nytimes.com/2026/07/08/us/politics/trump-air-force-one-security.html\">July 8</a> and <a href=\"https://www.nytimes.com/2026/07/09/us/politics/new-air-force-one-defensive-countermeasures.html\">July 9</a> that, after taking his new Qatari-donated Air Force One on its maiden voyage to Turkey for a NATO meeting, Trump reverted to the former plane at the urging of the Secret Service because of safety concerns, including that it lacked the same defensive countermeasures.</p><p data-block-key=\"cfh08\">On July 10, FBI Director Kash Patel was <a href=\"https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/fbi-director-kash-patel-targets-press/#July%2010\">tapped to oversee</a> a leak investigation into the Times’ reporting and, in a major departure from precedent, he ran the inquiry from the White House, establishing a “war room” with Trump’s <a href=\"https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/susie-wiles-intimidates-leakers-press-as-white-house-chief-of-staff/\">chief of staff Susie Wiles</a>.</p><p data-block-key=\"6vtas\">That evening, FBI agents served grand jury testimony subpoenas to reporters <a href=\"https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/ny-times-intelligence-reporter-subpoenaed-by-doj-for-grand-jury-testimony/\">Julian E. Barnes</a>, <a href=\"https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/ny-times-investigative-reporter-subpoenaed-by-doj-for-testimony/\">Eric Lipton</a> and <a href=\"https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/ny-times-national-security-reporter-subpoenaed-by-doj/\">Eric Schmitt</a> at their homes. According to a <a href=\"https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.nysd.668455/gov.uscourts.nysd.668455.27.0.pdf\">letter</a> written by an attorney for the Times, the Justice Department also attempted but failed to serve similar subpoenas to journalists Adam Goldman and Tyler Pager.</p><p data-block-key=\"8uu4o\">A week later, the DOJ revealed that it had also issued multiple subpoenas to phone service providers seeking call and text records for accounts believed to be associated with the five journalists. At least three of the numbers belonged to family members of the journalists, the newspaper <a href=\"https://www.nytimes.com/2026/07/20/business/media/new-york-times-subpoenas-phone-records.html\">reported</a>.</p><p data-block-key=\"elkrv\">In a <a href=\"https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.nysd.668455/gov.uscourts.nysd.668455.27.0.pdf\">letter</a> to U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian, attorneys for the Times wrote that while the department served “<a href=\"https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/ny-times-reporters-phone-text-records-targeted-in-secret-doj-subpoenas\">some</a>” of the subpoenas July 10, additional requests were sent on <a href=\"https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/ny-times-reporters-phone-records-sought-in-secret-doj-subpoenas\">July 14</a> and <a href=\"https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/ny-times-reporters-phone-text-records-sought-by-doj-in-secret-subpoenas\">July 16</a>.</p><p data-block-key=\"7147d\">The U.S. Press Freedom Tracker was unable to confirm the precise number of subpoenas issued or which journalists were targeted in each. At least two of the subpoenas also sought records dating back to Jan. 1, but it was not immediately clear which.</p><p data-block-key=\"1ngho\"><a href=\"https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.nysd.668455/gov.uscourts.nysd.668455.29.0.pdf\">According to the DOJ</a>, the last two subpoenas were issued after it was determined that the provider that had been served initially did not host the underlying phone number. The department also revealed that the July 16 subpoena was issued to Google along with a nondisclosure order issued by a different judge and under the false impression that the investigation was not public.</p><p data-block-key=\"1gbqn\">Attorneys for the Times asked the court July 18 to consider the third-party subpoenas alongside the grand jury requests in their motion to quash, arguing that they only further demonstrated the irregularity of the department’s requests.</p><p data-block-key=\"73hsi\">“These actions demonstrate abuse of the grand jury process, continued bad-faith attacks on the Journalists, violations of the Department’s own internal regulations, and disregard for the law in this Circuit intended to protect critical First Amendment interests,” wrote attorney David O’Neil. “They raise pressing questions about the conduct of this purported national security investigation and confirm the absence of any regularity in the department’s use of the grand jury in this case.”</p><p data-block-key=\"a2k8j\">The department, in its response, argued that the investigation is ongoing, and asked that the court place a two-week hold on all of the subpoenas in order for it to pursue “particular investigative steps.”</p><p data-block-key=\"8ul30\">The DOJ also said that it has asked the service providers to postpone turning over records for the time being.</p><p data-block-key=\"3avbb\">A hearing on the Times’ motion to quash the subpoenas — understood to concern all of them — is scheduled for July 23.</p></div>",
"introduction": "",
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"primary_video": null,
"image_caption": "<p data-block-key=\"par6t\">Phone records for multiple New York Times reporters were subpoenaed by the Justice Department in July 2026 as part of an attempt to uncover their confidential sources. Above, the Times building in New York City in 2025.</p>",
"arresting_authority": null,
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"subpoena_type": null,
"name_of_business": "unidentified",
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"legal_order_venue": "Federal",
"status_of_prior_restraint": null,
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"state": {
"name": "New York",
"abbreviation": "NY"
},
"updates": [
"(2026-07-23 22:23:00+00:00) DOJ withdraws subpoenas for testimony from NY Times reporters"
],
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"tags": [
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"categories": [
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},
{
"title": "Reporter shoved while covering Maine demonstration",
"url": "https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/reporter-shoved-while-covering-maine-demonstration/",
"first_published_at": "2026-07-14T21:21:36.271000Z",
"last_published_at": "2026-07-16T20:38:15.260066Z",
"latest_revision_created_at": "2026-07-16T20:34:13.937187Z",
"date": "2026-07-07",
"exact_date_unknown": false,
"city": "Bangor",
"longitude": -68.77265,
"latitude": 44.79884,
"body": "<div class=\"w-block-rich_text block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"wi9bk\">Journalist Joe Sokol was pushed multiple times by an individual at a demonstration against the Trump administration’s policies in Bangor, Maine, on July 7, 2026.</p><p data-block-key=\"8lt8e\">Sokol, an investigative reporter for the <a href=\"https://www.themainewire.com/\">Maine Wire</a> — a digital media outlet and project of the nonprofit think tank Maine Policy Institute — told the U.S. Press Freedom Tracker that he was interviewing people about why they were at the protest, which takes place every Tuesday.</p><p data-block-key=\"5tbc6\">A <a href=\"https://www.instagram.com/p/DaguZbShCnz/\">video</a> of the incident posted by the outlet shows a small group of people with signs standing on the side of a road. Sokol, holding a microphone, briefly interviews one woman. Then, a man holding a large sign saying “healthcare 4 all” walks up to Sokol and pushes him with the sign.</p></div>\n<div class=\"w-block-tweet block-tweet\"><div class=\"tweet-embed\">\n <div>\n <blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Violent anti-Trump protestor with a "healthcare 4 all" sign charges at and shoves our reporter in Bangor.<br><br>This is assault, plain and simple: <a href=\"https://t.co/CORkDYaUOs\">pic.twitter.com/CORkDYaUOs</a></p>— The Maine Wire (@TheMaineWire) <a href=\"https://x.com/TheMaineWire/status/2074575910250889389?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">July 7, 2026</a></blockquote>\n<script async src=\"https://platform.x.com/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"></script>\n\n\n</div>\n\n</div>\n</div>\n<div class=\"w-block-rich_text block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"wi9bk\">“That’s assault,” the reporter says. “Why would you just assault me?”</p><p data-block-key=\"4bq8q\">A woman apologizes to Sokol, and the man says he didn’t see him and walks away.</p><p data-block-key=\"4rtss\">The video goes on to show Sokol trying to ask someone else questions when the same man appears to deliberately back up, bump into and elbow him; the woman apologizes again.</p><p data-block-key=\"3sm2a\">Sokol said he told the man that he was going to file a police report, and went with his photographer to a nearby police station. There, they reviewed video footage of the assault with an officer.</p><p data-block-key=\"925p9\">They then went with the officer back to the protest and the man was detained, Sokol said.</p><p data-block-key=\"3j0pa\">Fox News, citing the Bangor Police Department, <a href=\"https://www.foxnews.com/media/anti-trump-protestor-charged-after-viral-video-appears-show-journalist-shoved-maine-protest\">reported</a> that the man — identified as Ronald Staples — faces an assault charge.</p><p data-block-key=\"2t7sj\">Bangor Police Department confirmed Staples’ charge in an email to the Tracker.</p><p data-block-key=\"7qkmm\">Sokol said that Maine Wire journalists had been <a href=\"https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/?targeted_institutions=Maine+Wire&categories=Assault\">targets</a> of violence, and he didn’t wear anything with the outlet’s name on it when reporting. He said he didn’t know for sure whether the man who assaulted him knew he was from Maine Wire, but “I would bet a good chunk of money on it.”</p><p data-block-key=\"20mqe\"><i>Update: This article was revised to include a response from the Bangor Police Department.</i></p></div>",
"introduction": "",
"teaser": "",
"teaser_image": "https://media.pressfreedomtracker.us/media/images/Maine_Wire.2e16d0ba.fill-1330x880.png",
"primary_video": null,
"image_caption": "<p data-block-key=\"zzj5s\">Maine Wire reporter Joe Sokol, seen holding a microphone, was shoved multiple times by a man at a July 7, 2026, protest in Bangor; the man was later charged with assault.</p>",
"arresting_authority": null,
"arrest_status": null,
"release_date": null,
"detention_date": null,
"unnecessary_use_of_force": false,
"case_number": null,
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"denial_of_entry": false,
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"did_authorities_ask_for_device_access": null,
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"assailant": "private individual",
"was_journalist_targeted": "yes",
"charged_under_espionage_act": false,
"subpoena_type": null,
"name_of_business": null,
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"legal_order_venue": null,
"status_of_prior_restraint": null,
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"state": {
"name": "Maine",
"abbreviation": "ME"
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"updates": [],
"case_statuses": [],
"workers_whose_communications_were_obtained": [],
"target_nationality": [],
"targeted_institutions": [],
"tags": [],
"politicians_or_public_figures_involved": [],
"authors": [],
"categories": [
"Assault"
],
"targeted_journalists": [
"Joe Sokol (Maine Wire)"
],
"subpoena_statuses": null,
"type_of_denial": []
},
{
"title": "Producer detained after judge closes courtroom for grand jury indictment",
"url": "https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/producer-detained-after-judge-closes-courtroom-for-grand-jury-indictment/",
"first_published_at": "2026-07-10T18:13:43.191000Z",
"last_published_at": "2026-07-14T17:04:18.109624Z",
"latest_revision_created_at": "2026-07-14T17:04:17.919680Z",
"date": "2026-07-02",
"exact_date_unknown": false,
"city": "New Orleans",
"longitude": -90.07507,
"latitude": 29.95465,
"body": "<div class=\"w-block-rich_text block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"g2sg0\">WWL-TV investigative producer Danny Monteverde was handcuffed and detained by deputies after questioning a judge’s decision to close a court proceeding announcing the indictment of the Louisiana attorney general on July 2, 2026, in New Orleans.</p><p data-block-key=\"ejr7f\">Judge Leon Roche ordered the courtroom sealed before the grand jury returned the <a href=\"https://www.wwltv.com/article/news/local/orleans/orleans-parish-grand-jury-indicts-state-attorney-general-liz-murrill/289-0c77c89b-1e85-4b18-93ff-8fd0b0a4fd91\">indictment against Attorney General Liz Murrill</a>, though he did not explain why at the time. Louisiana law requires grand jury indictments be handed up in open court.</p><p data-block-key=\"cvaa2\">About a half-dozen news reporters waited in the hallway for the judge to reopen the courtroom. At that time, Monteverde asserted the proceedings should be public. He contacted WWL-TV’s First Amendment lawyer Elana Beiser, who quickly arrived with a motion seeking to open proceedings. But the courtroom remained locked.</p><p data-block-key=\"9dsvc\">“They basically ignored me,” Beiser told the U.S. Press Freedom Tracker.</p><p data-block-key=\"54qjj\">Then, close to a dozen Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office deputies arrived and ordered reporters away from the courtroom doors. When reporters questioned why they were barred from entering, a man who did not identify himself emerged from the courtroom and warned they could face contempt of court charges if they did not leave.</p><p data-block-key=\"ah1js\">At least one deputy threatened to handcuff anyone who refused to move. A <a href=\"https://www.nola.com/news/courts/new-orleans-liz-murrill-courtroom-closed/article_996ee81d-10ae-4a9c-992c-f29f62595694.html\">Times-Picayune reporter</a> who left the building was denied reentry a few minutes later.</p><p data-block-key=\"figtd\">“Danny kept saying to the deputies, ‘Why? I don’t understand. I’m not going to leave the public hallway,’” Beiser told the Tracker. “They cuffed Danny. They cuffed him behind his back quite tightly, and they led him toward the security checkpoint by the entrance.”</p><p data-block-key=\"4bhne\">Deputies also detained Beiser, who had repeatedly insisted that she was an attorney representing Monteverde’s station. Instead, they grabbed her cellphone, tossed it away and handcuffed her behind her back. She said one deputy read her her Miranda rights.</p><p data-block-key=\"21iue\">Beiser told the Tracker that she and Monteverde were both detained for around 20 minutes; the restraints left red marks on their wrists. Monteverde did not return a request for comment by the Tracker.</p><p data-block-key=\"6psu8\">In a statement to the Tracker, Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Keith Lampkin said deputies were directed by the judge to secure the courtroom door and surrounding area to protect the integrity of the grand jury process. He added that the office was continuing to gather all available details about what occurred.</p><p data-block-key=\"dmpso\">“It is our understanding that OPSO personnel acted in accordance with the directives they received and worked to ensure an orderly conclusion to the proceedings and safe passage for all persons involved,” Lampkin said.</p><p data-block-key=\"bdc3n\">The judge and prosecutor later said the media was removed from the courtroom to protect the anonymity of the grand jury. At a news conference, special prosecutor Laurie White said she asked deputies to release Monteverde and Beiser.</p><p data-block-key=\"v5l1\">“You all were handcuffed by sheriff’s deputies because you wouldn’t obey an order,” White said. “You all weren’t willing to walk out when you were asked to do so.”</p><p data-block-key=\"do7fm\">Roche, who did not respond to a Tracker request for comment, later <a href=\"https://www.wwltv.com/article/news/local/orleans/new-orleans-judge-defends-media-blackout-following-murrills-indictment/289-90d9a700-ae29-45c6-80dc-37305681cc11?fbclid=IwY2xjawS7n0JleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBicmlkETFhcFBnUllvbXhEUGNJdHJYc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHoJ52FbvNwDruAEACnOqhMnJ2nvmWAdJOl_iVK6p-UJ1k5t_Z_0SFy3I-DA9_aem_tKSz_qEdWSjULm9nhr8ipQ\">defended his decision</a> to close the proceedings. In a court filing, he claimed he received credible information that reporters were trying to film and communicate with grand jurors, and ordered the deputy sheriffs to clear the room out of an abundance of caution.</p><p data-block-key=\"8b3g6\">Roche said in the filing that he “never instructed deputy sheriffs to remand or detain any members of the media.” He added that the media was not handcuffed inside the courtroom.</p><p data-block-key=\"c0pjo\">Murrill, who was indicted on 16 counts related to violating anti-intimidation laws, denies any wrongdoing. In a <a href=\"https://x.com/AGLizMurrill/status/2072818377471783292\">statement posted to X</a>, she criticized the handling of the grand jury proceedings and called the decision to lock out the media and handcuff Monteverde a “clear violation of Louisiana law.”</p><p data-block-key=\"1dhvg\">The state Supreme Court has since <a href=\"https://www.wwltv.com/article/syndication/associatedpress/louisianas-top-court-halts-the-criminal-case-against-the-state-attorney-general/616-7549aa04-e4ae-42c0-be55-a583b9763e7b\">halted Murrill’s indictment</a>. In its order, the court cited “disturbing defects” in the proceedings, including that Roche had closed the courtroom to the press and public.</p><p data-block-key=\"oela\">In his responding court filing, Roche argued that “open court” refers to the presence of a judge on the bench, not that the proceedings must be open to the public.</p><p data-block-key=\"4u9hj\"><i>Update: This article was revised to include a comment from the Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office.</i></p></div>",
"introduction": "",
"teaser": "",
"teaser_image": "https://media.pressfreedomtracker.us/media/images/Screenshot_2026-07-09_at_12.55.09.2e16d0ba.fill-1330x880.png",
"primary_video": null,
"image_caption": "<p data-block-key=\"xxbwr\">A screen grab of producer Danny Monteverde during a WWL-TV newscast. Monteverde was handcuffed by deputies after questioning the closing of a courtroom during a grand jury proceeding in New Orleans, Louisiana, on July 2, 2026.</p>",
"arresting_authority": "Orleans Parish Sheriff's Office",
"arrest_status": "detained and released without being processed",
"release_date": null,
"detention_date": "2026-07-02",
"unnecessary_use_of_force": true,
"case_number": null,
"case_type": null,
"status_of_seized_equipment": null,
"is_search_warrant_obtained": false,
"actor": null,
"border_point": null,
"target_us_citizenship_status": null,
"denial_of_entry": false,
"stopped_previously": false,
"did_authorities_ask_for_device_access": null,
"did_authorities_ask_about_work": null,
"assailant": null,
"was_journalist_targeted": null,
"charged_under_espionage_act": false,
"subpoena_type": null,
"name_of_business": null,
"third_party_business": null,
"legal_order_venue": null,
"status_of_prior_restraint": null,
"mistakenly_released_materials": false,
"links": [],
"equipment_seized": [],
"equipment_broken": [],
"state": {
"name": "Louisiana",
"abbreviation": "LA"
},
"updates": [],
"case_statuses": [],
"workers_whose_communications_were_obtained": [],
"target_nationality": [],
"targeted_institutions": [],
"tags": [],
"politicians_or_public_figures_involved": [],
"authors": [],
"categories": [
"Arrest/Criminal Charge"
],
"targeted_journalists": [
"Danny Monteverde (WWL-TV)"
],
"subpoena_statuses": null,
"type_of_denial": []
},
{
"title": "Deputy points gun at photographer during World Cup celebration",
"url": "https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/deputy-points-gun-at-photographer-during-world-cup-celebration/",
"first_published_at": "2026-08-13T16:58:32.039660Z",
"last_published_at": "2026-08-13T16:58:47.812387Z",
"latest_revision_created_at": "2026-08-13T16:58:47.687902Z",
"date": "2026-06-30",
"exact_date_unknown": false,
"city": "East Los Angeles",
"longitude": -118.17202,
"latitude": 34.0239,
"body": "<div class=\"w-block-rich_text block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"u6pds\">A sheriff’s deputy aimed a firearm at independent photographer Steven Berumen while the journalist was documenting an arrest at a World Cup celebration in East Los Angeles, California, on June 30, 2026.</p><p data-block-key=\"5tdb1\">Berumen told the U.S. Press Freedom Tracker that he had gone to an East LA neighborhood to document celebrations after Mexico won its match against Ecuador during the FIFA World Cup.</p><p data-block-key=\"26n4n\">Berumen saw LA County sheriff’s deputies chasing several young people around the block. As deputies apprehended one of them, Berumen approached to photograph the arrest. He said one deputy then raised a firearm and pointed it at him, ordering him to stand back.</p><p data-block-key=\"dmc3a\">Berumen said he was wearing a blue press vest and identified himself as a journalist, but the deputy continued pointing the firearm at him. “I was wearing my press gear. I don’t think he cared, and I got a gun pointed at me,” he said.</p><p data-block-key=\"3jjpa\">Later, a flash-bang canister fired by law enforcement detonated near his feet. Berumen said the device was deployed after someone threw a homemade firework at deputies.</p><p data-block-key=\"a8do\">At another World Cup celebration several days later, Berumen said two additional flash-bangs fired by deputies landed near him. He said neither appeared to be specifically directed at him.</p><p data-block-key=\"3sdos\">In response to a Tracker request for comment, the LA County Sheriff’s Department did not answer questions about the deputy’s actions toward Berumen. The department instead shared a <a href=\"https://local.nixle.com/alert/12502023/\">press release</a> stating that deputies responded to preserve order and maintain public safety during the celebrations.</p><p data-block-key=\"8rrbi\">Two deputies were struck with explosive devices and a third was struck in the eye by a thrown object, according to the release, which did not address the use of force against members of the press.</p></div>",
"introduction": "",
"teaser": "",
"teaser_image": "https://media.pressfreedomtracker.us/media/images/Sheriff_point.2e16d0ba.fill-1330x880.jpg",
"primary_video": null,
"image_caption": "<p data-block-key=\"5k3cp\">A sheriff’s deputy, standing at left, points a firearm at independent journalist Steven Berumen during a law enforcement operation at a World Cup celebration in East Los Angeles, California, on June 30, 2026.</p>",
"arresting_authority": null,
"arrest_status": null,
"release_date": null,
"detention_date": null,
"unnecessary_use_of_force": false,
"case_number": null,
"case_type": null,
"status_of_seized_equipment": null,
"is_search_warrant_obtained": false,
"actor": null,
"border_point": null,
"target_us_citizenship_status": null,
"denial_of_entry": false,
"stopped_previously": false,
"did_authorities_ask_for_device_access": null,
"did_authorities_ask_about_work": null,
"assailant": "law enforcement",
"was_journalist_targeted": "yes",
"charged_under_espionage_act": false,
"subpoena_type": null,
"name_of_business": null,
"third_party_business": null,
"legal_order_venue": null,
"status_of_prior_restraint": null,
"mistakenly_released_materials": false,
"links": [],
"equipment_seized": [],
"equipment_broken": [],
"state": {
"name": "California",
"abbreviation": "CA"
},
"updates": [],
"case_statuses": [],
"workers_whose_communications_were_obtained": [],
"target_nationality": [],
"targeted_institutions": [],
"tags": [],
"politicians_or_public_figures_involved": [],
"authors": [],
"categories": [
"Assault"
],
"targeted_journalists": [
"Steven Berumen (Independent)"
],
"subpoena_statuses": null,
"type_of_denial": []
},
{
"title": "TV station vehicle windshield smashed while crew reported in Illinois",
"url": "https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/tv-station-vehicle-windshield-smashed-while-crew-reported-in-illinois/",
"first_published_at": "2026-07-02T17:41:16.015000Z",
"last_published_at": "2026-07-07T19:02:26.635867Z",
"latest_revision_created_at": "2026-07-07T19:02:26.417102Z",
"date": "2026-06-29",
"exact_date_unknown": false,
"city": "Chicago",
"longitude": -87.65005,
"latitude": 41.85003,
"body": "<div class=\"w-block-rich_text block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"peqxm\">A WBBM-TV reporter was preparing for a live broadcast with a photographer in Chicago, Illinois, on June 29, 2026, when the journalists were targeted by a group of men who shouted racial slurs and damaged the station’s news vehicle.</p><p data-block-key=\"1h2qd\">The reporter and <a href=\"/all-incidents/tv-photographers-camera-damaged-by-group-while-reporting-in-illinois/\">photographer</a> were near a local planetarium when several men in a white tow truck approached them, <a href=\"https://www.cbsnews.com/chicago/news/cbs-chicago-reporter-photographer-attacked-near-adler-planetarium/?utm_source=cnn_Reliable+Sources&utm_medium=email\">the CBS-owned outlet reported</a>. One of the men yelled racial slurs and directed his <a href=\"https://www.youtube.com/shorts/9JSDL8586eo\">unleashed German shepherd dog</a> to attack the photographer, who is a Black man.</p></div>\n<div class=\"w-block-instagram block-instagram\"><div class=\"instagram-embed\">\n\t<div>\n <blockquote\n\tclass=\"instagram-media\"\n\tdata-instgrm-permalink=\"https://www.instagram.com/p/DaMiKlnCHJW/?utm_source=ig_embed\"\n\tdata-instgrm-version=\"14\">\n\t<a class=\"btn btn-secondary\" href=\"https://www.instagram.com/p/DaMiKlnCHJW\">View post on Instagram</a>\n</blockquote>\n<script async src=\"https://www.instagram.com/embed.js\"></script>\n\n</div>\n\n</div>\n</div>\n<div class=\"w-block-rich_text block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"peqxm\">When the dog did not attack, one man smashed the news vehicle’s windshield with a traffic cone while another damaged the photographer’s camera, the station said.</p><p data-block-key=\"3dhhr\">About 20 minutes later, police responded to a separate incident involving the same tow truck and arrested three suspects. They recovered a firearm during the investigation.</p><p data-block-key=\"ct7uu\">In a later newscast, reporter Jermont Terry said the journalists, who were not identified, were safe. “While they are not physically hurt, what they endured while simply gathering news will impact them for quite some time.”</p><p data-block-key=\"4ce8t\">WBBM-TV reported that the suspects, who have not been identified, <a href=\"https://www.cbsnews.com/chicago/news/3-people-in-custody-after-cbs-news-chicago-crew-attacked/\">may face hate crime charges.</a></p></div>",
"introduction": "",
"teaser": "",
"teaser_image": "https://media.pressfreedomtracker.us/media/images/PFT_header_images_7.2e16d0ba.fill-1330x880.png",
"primary_video": null,
"image_caption": "<p data-block-key=\"eel1c\">A WBBM-TV station van after it was damaged by a group of men who targeted the station’s reporter and photographer on June 29, 2026, in Chicago, Illinois.</p>",
"arresting_authority": null,
"arrest_status": null,
"release_date": null,
"detention_date": null,
"unnecessary_use_of_force": false,
"case_number": null,
"case_type": null,
"status_of_seized_equipment": null,
"is_search_warrant_obtained": false,
"actor": "private individual",
"border_point": null,
"target_us_citizenship_status": null,
"denial_of_entry": false,
"stopped_previously": false,
"did_authorities_ask_for_device_access": null,
"did_authorities_ask_about_work": null,
"assailant": "private individual",
"was_journalist_targeted": "yes",
"charged_under_espionage_act": false,
"subpoena_type": null,
"name_of_business": null,
"third_party_business": null,
"legal_order_venue": null,
"status_of_prior_restraint": null,
"mistakenly_released_materials": false,
"links": [],
"equipment_seized": [],
"equipment_broken": [
{
"quantity": 1,
"equipment": "vehicle"
}
],
"state": {
"name": "Illinois",
"abbreviation": "IL"
},
"updates": [
"(2026-07-01 10:44:00+00:00) Three charged in connection with attack against TV news crew in Chicago"
],
"case_statuses": [],
"workers_whose_communications_were_obtained": [],
"target_nationality": [],
"targeted_institutions": [],
"tags": [],
"politicians_or_public_figures_involved": [],
"authors": [],
"categories": [
"Assault",
"Equipment Damage"
],
"targeted_journalists": [
"Unidentified journalist 17 (WBBM-TV)"
],
"subpoena_statuses": null,
"type_of_denial": []
},
{
"title": "TV photographer’s camera damaged by group while reporting in Illinois",
"url": "https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/tv-photographers-camera-damaged-by-group-while-reporting-in-illinois/",
"first_published_at": "2026-07-02T17:39:33.233000Z",
"last_published_at": "2026-07-07T19:02:46.379081Z",
"latest_revision_created_at": "2026-07-07T19:02:46.171273Z",
"date": "2026-06-29",
"exact_date_unknown": false,
"city": "Chicago",
"longitude": -87.65005,
"latitude": 41.85003,
"body": "<div class=\"w-block-rich_text block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"4d1wt\">A WBBM-TV photographer was targeted by a group of men who shouted racial slurs at him and damaged his camera while he was reporting in Chicago, Illinois, on June 29, 2026.</p><p data-block-key=\"2s6ln\">The photographer was preparing for a live shot <a href=\"/all-incidents/tv-station-vehicle-windshield-smashed-while-crew-reported-in-illinois/\">with a reporter</a> near a local planetarium when several men in a white tow truck approached them, <a href=\"https://www.cbsnews.com/chicago/news/cbs-chicago-reporter-photographer-attacked-near-adler-planetarium/?utm_source=cnn_Reliable+Sources&utm_medium=email\">the CBS-owned outlet reported</a>. One of the men yelled racial slurs and <a href=\"https://www.youtube.com/shorts/9JSDL8586eo\">directed his unleashed German shepherd dog</a> to attack the photographer, who is a Black man.</p></div>\n<div class=\"w-block-instagram block-instagram\"><div class=\"instagram-embed\">\n\t<div>\n <blockquote\n\tclass=\"instagram-media\"\n\tdata-instgrm-permalink=\"https://www.instagram.com/p/DaMiKlnCHJW/?utm_source=ig_embed\"\n\tdata-instgrm-version=\"14\">\n\t<a class=\"btn btn-secondary\" href=\"https://www.instagram.com/p/DaMiKlnCHJW\">View post on Instagram</a>\n</blockquote>\n<script async src=\"https://www.instagram.com/embed.js\"></script>\n\n</div>\n\n</div>\n</div>\n<div class=\"w-block-rich_text block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"4d1wt\">When the dog did not attack, one man smashed the news vehicle’s windshield with a traffic cone while another damaged the photographer’s camera, the station said.</p><p data-block-key=\"4r72l\">About 20 minutes later, police responded to a separate incident involving the same tow truck and arrested three suspects. They recovered a firearm during the investigation.</p><p data-block-key=\"11u6o\">In a later newscast, reporter Jermont Terry said the journalists, who were not identified, were safe. “While they are not physically hurt, what they endured while simply gathering news will impact them for quite some time.”</p><p data-block-key=\"aaic9\">WBBM-TV reported that the suspects, who have not been identified, <a href=\"https://www.cbsnews.com/chicago/news/3-people-in-custody-after-cbs-news-chicago-crew-attacked/\">may face hate crime charges.</a></p></div>",
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"image_caption": "<p data-block-key=\"779z1\">Police inspect a WBBM-TV photographer’s camera after it was damaged when a group of individuals targeted the station’s photographer and reporter on June 29, 2026, in Chicago, Illinois.</p>",
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"(2026-07-01 10:53:00+00:00) Three charged in connection with attack against TV news crew in Chicago"
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{
"title": "Editor detained at U.S. event in Belgium after filming official",
"url": "https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/editor-detained-at-us-event-in-belgium-after-filming-official/",
"first_published_at": "2026-07-09T13:42:09.845000Z",
"last_published_at": "2026-07-14T17:23:59.458662Z",
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"body": "<div class=\"w-block-rich_text block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"9l1iq\">European Correspondent editor-in-chief Julius Fintelmann and the outlet’s reporter were detained at a U.S. government-organized event celebrating America’s 250th birthday in Brussels after questioning the U.S. ambassador to Belgium on June 28, 2026.</p><p data-block-key=\"dllff\">The State Department <a href=\"https://europeancorrespondent.com/en/r/a-us-ambassador-turned-police-on-an-activist-then-on-me\">invited</a> the journalists to the Freedom 250 event, held in the city’s largest park and organized by the three U.S. embassies in Brussels. While there, Dempsey and Fintelmann interviewed attendees, including the president of the European Parliament and the European Union’s commissioner for defense.</p><p data-block-key=\"1iphi\">Dempsey later approached Ambassador Bill White to ask him questions about an <a href=\"https://europeancorrespondent.com/en/r/a-us-ambassador-turned-police-on-an-activist-then-on-me\">email he had sent</a> to American activist and Belgium resident John Hasan Yildiz, who had urged the Zac Brown Band to reconsider performing at the celebration. In the email, which copied both federal and local law enforcement in Belgium and the embassy’s head of security, White suggested he had obtained Yildiz’s personal information and shared it with police.</p><p data-block-key=\"devdd\">Even though White had initially agreed to answer questions, he declined to comment and walked away. A member of his entourage motioned for Dempsey to leave in an <a href=\"https://www.instagram.com/p/DaKho_7Dp4w/\">Instagram video</a> of the interaction.</p></div>\n<div class=\"w-block-instagram block-instagram\"><div class=\"instagram-embed\">\n\t<div>\n <blockquote\n\tclass=\"instagram-media\"\n\tdata-instgrm-permalink=\"https://www.instagram.com/p/DaKho_7Dp4w/?utm_source=ig_embed\"\n\tdata-instgrm-version=\"14\">\n\t<a class=\"btn btn-secondary\" href=\"https://www.instagram.com/p/DaKho_7Dp4w\">View post on Instagram</a>\n</blockquote>\n<script async src=\"https://www.instagram.com/embed.js\"></script>\n\n</div>\n\n</div>\n</div>\n<div class=\"w-block-rich_text block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"9l1iq\">Twenty minutes later, as the Pledge of Allegiance played and American World War II aircraft flew overhead, about eight Brussels police officers wearing plain clothes <a href=\"/all-incidents/reporter-detained-at-us-event-in-belgium-after-questioning-official/\">surrounded Dempsey</a> and started moving him out of the event.</p><p data-block-key=\"3bc82\">The officers also confronted Fintelmann, who had begun filming the encounter. They demanded his identification and started physically removing him from the event. The police questioned the reporters about whether The European Correspondent had a political agenda and how the outlet had gained access to the event, despite being invited by the embassy.</p><p data-block-key=\"86el0\">“They were told we were an active threat by the ambassador,” Fintelmann told the U.S. Press Freedom Tracker. “Through the course of the conversation, they understood that we were journalists just doing our job.”</p><p data-block-key=\"2q8tg\">The reporters were detained for about 20 minutes before being <a href=\"/all-incidents/reporters-removed-from-us-event-in-belgium-after-questioning-official/\">escorted out.</a></p><p data-block-key=\"bjlrs\">Victor Kanyanzira, spokesperson for Brussels Mayor Philippe Close, told the Tracker in an email that police questioned the journalists after event organizers reported them as a threat. Officers determined the reporters posed no danger. However, at the organizers’ request, the event’s private security staff removed them from the premises.</p><p data-block-key=\"2u95g\">“We would like to stress that these are not methods that we personally use in our relations with the press,” the statement said. “The City of Brussels remains committed to maintaining a constructive and respectful relationship with journalists and to protecting press freedom.”</p><p data-block-key=\"1vcn\">“He just didn’t want to be asked any questions,” said Fintelmann, who was surprised the Belgian police consented to escort them out. “It’s ironic to do something like this at an event that’s tied to Freedom 250.”</p><p data-block-key=\"eoi58\">In one <a href=\"https://europeancorrespondent.com/en/r/a-us-ambassador-turned-police-on-an-activist-then-on-me\">email to the outlet</a> after the event, White implied Dempsey was connected to the activist and called him and Fintelmann “losers.” In another, White accused Dempsey of approaching him with a weapon and harassing embassy employees, allegations Dempsey denies. Video of the encounter shows Dempsey holding a cellphone as he approached White.</p><p data-block-key=\"6nrks\">White also said Dempsey would be barred from future government events. The ambassador went on to incorrectly identify Fintelmann as the activist who had emailed the Zac Brown Band, and claimed the European journalist suffered from “Trump Derangement Syndrome level five.”</p><p data-block-key=\"43kss\">Ben Grazda, advocacy manager for Reporters Without Borders, condemned the ambassador’s treatment of the journalists in <a href=\"https://www.instagram.com/p/DadPgRTjpH8/\">a statement.</a></p><p data-block-key=\"ecmb1\">“It is ludicrous that, on the anniversary of America declaring itself free from tyranny, the US Ambassador to Belgium, at his massive party for the occasion, kicked out an American and a European journalist simply for asking questions,” he wrote. “Americans expect their top diplomats to at least respect the nation’s founding values in their official duties. We hope Ambassador White will turn his attention to the matter of the Constitution before he disgraces it again.”</p><p data-block-key=\"avmo7\"><i>Update: This article was revised to include a comment from the spokesperson for Brussels Mayor Philippe Close.</i></p></div>",
"introduction": "",
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"image_caption": "<p data-block-key=\"ef95b\">European Correspondent editor-in-chief Julius Fintelmann, right, speaks in a video screen grab with reporter Samuel Dempsey after both were detained at a U.S. government event in Brussels, Belgium, on June 28, 2026.</p>",
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{
"title": "Reporters removed from U.S. event in Belgium after questioning official",
"url": "https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/reporters-removed-from-us-event-in-belgium-after-questioning-official/",
"first_published_at": "2026-07-09T13:46:24.254000Z",
"last_published_at": "2026-07-14T17:39:34.686416Z",
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"body": "<div class=\"w-block-rich_text block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"kd1z3\">European Correspondent reporter Samuel Dempsey and editor-in-chief Julius Fintelmann were removed from a U.S. government-organized event celebrating America’s 250th birthday in Brussels after questioning the U.S. ambassador to Belgium on June 28, 2026.</p><p data-block-key=\"a6nk5\">The State Department <a href=\"https://europeancorrespondent.com/en/r/a-us-ambassador-turned-police-on-an-activist-then-on-me\">invited</a> the journalists to the Freedom 250 event, held in the city’s largest park and organized by the three U.S. embassies in Brussels. While there, Dempsey and Fintelmann interviewed attendees, including the president of the European Parliament and the European Union’s commissioner for defense.</p><p data-block-key=\"423ev\">Dempsey later approached Ambassador Bill White to ask him questions about an <a href=\"https://europeancorrespondent.com/en/r/a-us-ambassador-turned-police-on-an-activist-then-on-me\">email he had sent</a> to American activist and Belgium resident John Hasan Yildiz, who had urged the Zac Brown Band to reconsider performing at the celebration. In the email, which copied both federal and local law enforcement in Belgium and the embassy’s head of security, White suggested he had obtained Yildiz’s personal information and shared it with police.</p><p data-block-key=\"ete0d\">Even though White had initially agreed to answer questions, he declined to comment and walked away. A member of his entourage motioned for Dempsey to leave, as shown in an <a href=\"https://www.instagram.com/p/DaKho_7Dp4w/\">Instagram video</a> of the interaction.</p></div>\n<div class=\"w-block-instagram block-instagram\"><div class=\"instagram-embed\">\n\t<div>\n <blockquote\n\tclass=\"instagram-media\"\n\tdata-instgrm-permalink=\"https://www.instagram.com/p/DaKho_7Dp4w/?utm_source=ig_embed\"\n\tdata-instgrm-version=\"14\">\n\t<a class=\"btn btn-secondary\" href=\"https://www.instagram.com/p/DaKho_7Dp4w\">View post on Instagram</a>\n</blockquote>\n<script async src=\"https://www.instagram.com/embed.js\"></script>\n\n</div>\n\n</div>\n</div>\n<div class=\"w-block-rich_text block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"kd1z3\">Twenty minutes later, as the Pledge of Allegiance played and American World War II aircraft flew overhead, about eight Brussels police officers wearing plain clothes <a href=\"https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/reporter-detained-at-us-event-in-belgium-after-questioning-official/\">surrounded Dempsey</a> and started moving him out of the event.</p><p data-block-key=\"a3shm\">“They got in my ear and were kind of yelling at me,” Dempsey told the U.S. Press Freedom Tracker.</p><p data-block-key=\"8oo4g\">Dempsey, an American citizen, repeatedly told police he was a journalist and asked why they were detaining him. He said officers continued to physically move him and initially became more hostile.</p><p data-block-key=\"cpeh5\">“This was when all the songs for the country were playing, and it’s supposed to be a peaceful, unifying moment,” Dempsey said.</p><p data-block-key=\"csgkg\">The officers also <a href=\"https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/editor-detained-at-us-event-in-belgium-after-filming-official/\">confronted Fintelmann</a>, who had begun filming the encounter. They demanded his identification and started physically removing him from the event. The journalists were detained for about 20 minutes before being escorted out.</p><p data-block-key=\"6acrk\">While being detained, police questioned the journalists about whether The European Correspondent had a political agenda and how the outlet had gained access to the event, despite being invited by the embassy.</p><p data-block-key=\"5ip3g\">Officers told the journalists they had been informed Dempsey posed an active threat and didn’t believe he was a reporter until receiving confirmation from event officials.</p><p data-block-key=\"cr0pg\">Victor Kanyanzira, spokesperson for Brussels Mayor Philippe Close, confirmed this in an email to the Tracker, saying police determined the journalists posed no danger after questioning them. However, at the organizers’ request, the event’s private security staff removed them from the premises.</p><p data-block-key=\"7psbi\">“We would like to stress that these are not methods that we personally use in our relations with the press,” the statement said. “The City of Brussels remains committed to maintaining a constructive and respectful relationship with journalists and to protecting press freedom.”</p><p data-block-key=\"3t2rr\">The U.S. Embassy in Belgium did not return a Tracker request for comment.</p><p data-block-key=\"ft0i0\">Dempsey said that characterizing him as a threat unnecessarily escalated the encounter by failing to tell responding officers that he was a reporter.</p><p data-block-key=\"e8fnj\">“They entered a scenario where they didn’t know if I was an active terrorist, if I was an agitator, they had no idea what was going on,” he said in <a href=\"https://www.instagram.com/p/DaKho_7Dp4w/\">the Instagram video</a>. “They put me physically at risk and them physically at risk if things were to escalate.”</p><p data-block-key=\"61ssi\">In one <a href=\"https://europeancorrespondent.com/en/r/a-us-ambassador-turned-police-on-an-activist-then-on-me\">email to the outlet</a> after the event, White implied Dempsey was connected to the activist and called him and Fintelmann “losers.” In another, White accused Dempsey of approaching him with a weapon and harassing embassy employees, allegations Dempsey denies. Video of the encounter shows Dempsey holding a cellphone as he approached White.</p><p data-block-key=\"9ep54\">White also said Dempsey would be barred from future government events. The ambassador went on to incorrectly identify Fintelmann as the activist who had emailed the Zac Brown Band, and claimed the European journalist suffered from “Trump Derangement Syndrome level five.”</p><p data-block-key=\"fg52a\">Ben Grazda, advocacy manager for Reporters Without Borders, condemned the ambassador’s treatment of the journalists <a href=\"https://www.instagram.com/p/DadPgRTjpH8/\">in a statement.</a></p><p data-block-key=\"7sloh\">“It is ludicrous that, on the anniversary of America declaring itself free from tyranny, the US Ambassador to Belgium, at his massive party for the occasion, kicked out an American and a European journalist simply for asking questions,” he wrote. “Americans expect their top diplomats to at least respect the nation’s founding values in their official duties. We hope Ambassador White will turn his attention to the matter of the Constitution before he disgraces it again.”</p><p data-block-key=\"4886q\"><i>Update: This article was revised to include a comment from the spokesperson for Brussels Mayor Philippe Close.</i></p></div>",
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"image_caption": "<p data-block-key=\"p215x\">European Correspondent reporter Samuel Dempsey — center, in white T-shirt — who along with his editor was removed from a U.S. government event over his reporting in Brussels, Belgium, on June 28, 2026.</p>",
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],
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},
{
"title": "Reporter detained at U.S. event in Belgium after questioning official",
"url": "https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/reporter-detained-at-us-event-in-belgium-after-questioning-official/",
"first_published_at": "2026-07-09T13:45:02.552000Z",
"last_published_at": "2026-07-14T17:31:21.131227Z",
"latest_revision_created_at": "2026-07-14T17:31:20.934516Z",
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"body": "<div class=\"w-block-rich_text block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"5ah1i\">European Correspondent reporter Samuel Dempsey and his editor were detained at a U.S. government-organized event celebrating America’s 250th birthday in Brussels after questioning the U.S. ambassador to Belgium on June 28, 2026.</p><p data-block-key=\"dbvj\">The State Department <a href=\"https://europeancorrespondent.com/en/r/a-us-ambassador-turned-police-on-an-activist-then-on-me\">invited</a> the journalists to the Freedom 250 event, held in the city’s largest park and organized by the three U.S. embassies in Brussels. While there, Dempsey and Fintelmann interviewed attendees, including the president of the European Parliament and the European Union’s commissioner for defense.</p><p data-block-key=\"26ovp\">Dempsey later approached Ambassador Bill White to ask him questions about an <a href=\"https://europeancorrespondent.com/en/r/a-us-ambassador-turned-police-on-an-activist-then-on-me\">email he had sent</a> to American activist and Belgium resident John Hasan Yildiz, who had urged the Zac Brown Band to reconsider performing at the celebration. In the email, which copied both federal and local law enforcement in Belgium and the embassy’s head of security, White suggested he had obtained Yildiz’s personal information and shared it with police.</p><p data-block-key=\"5vb8n\">Even though White had initially agreed to answer questions, he declined to comment and walked away. A member of his entourage motioned for Dempsey to leave in an <a href=\"https://www.instagram.com/p/DaKho_7Dp4w/\">Instagram video</a> of the interaction.</p></div>\n<div class=\"w-block-instagram block-instagram\"><div class=\"instagram-embed\">\n\t<div>\n <blockquote\n\tclass=\"instagram-media\"\n\tdata-instgrm-permalink=\"https://www.instagram.com/p/DaKho_7Dp4w/?utm_source=ig_embed\"\n\tdata-instgrm-version=\"14\">\n\t<a class=\"btn btn-secondary\" href=\"https://www.instagram.com/p/DaKho_7Dp4w\">View post on Instagram</a>\n</blockquote>\n<script async src=\"https://www.instagram.com/embed.js\"></script>\n\n</div>\n\n</div>\n</div>\n<div class=\"w-block-rich_text block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"o4hcm\">Twenty minutes later, as the Pledge of Allegiance played and American World War II aircraft flew overhead, about eight Brussels police officers wearing plain clothes surrounded Dempsey and started moving him out of the event.</p><p data-block-key=\"drt03\">“They got in my ear and were kind of yelling at me,” Dempsey told the U.S. Press Freedom Tracker.</p><p data-block-key=\"38l2t\">Dempsey, an American citizen, repeatedly told police he was a journalist and asked why they were detaining him. He said officers continued to physically move him and initially became more hostile.</p><p data-block-key=\"3br7o\">“They did put their hands on me. They did physically move me without my permission,” Dempsey said of the police use of force. “But it did not seem like they were looking to inflict harm.”</p><p data-block-key=\"a4t4n\">The officers also <a href=\"https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/editor-detained-at-us-event-in-belgium-after-filming-official/\">confronted Fintelmann</a>, who had begun filming the encounter. They demanded his identification and started physically removing him from the event. The journalists were detained for about 20 minutes before being <a href=\"https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/reporters-removed-from-us-event-in-belgium-after-questioning-official/\">escorted out.</a></p><p data-block-key=\"duaqh\">While being detained, police questioned the journalists about whether The European Correspondent had a political agenda and how the outlet had gained access to the event, despite being invited by the embassy.</p><p data-block-key=\"7uq\">“Jumping straight to, ‘You are being detained and removed,’ that’s not what the law is here at all,” Dempsey said.</p><p data-block-key=\"e3ccc\">Officers told the journalists they had been informed Dempsey posed an active threat and didn’t believe he was a reporter until receiving confirmation from event officials.</p><p data-block-key=\"2o1be\">Victor Kanyanzira, spokesperson for Brussels Mayor Philippe Close, confirmed this in an email to the Tracker, saying police determined the journalists posed no danger after questioning them. However, at the organizers’ request, the event’s private security staff removed them from the premises.</p><p data-block-key=\"d1inm\">“We would like to stress that these are not methods that we personally use in our relations with the press,” the statement said. “The City of Brussels remains committed to maintaining a constructive and respectful relationship with journalists and to protecting press freedom.”</p><p data-block-key=\"f2et2\">The U.S. Embassy in Belgium did not return a Tracker request for comment.</p><p data-block-key=\"euj78\">Dempsey said that characterizing him as a threat unnecessarily escalated the encounter by failing to tell responding officers that he was a reporter.</p><p data-block-key=\"a69kk\">“They entered a scenario where they didn’t know if I was an active terrorist, if I was an agitator, they had no idea what was going on,” he said in <a href=\"https://www.instagram.com/p/DaKho_7Dp4w/\">the Instagram video</a>. “They put me physically at risk and them physically at risk if things were to escalate.”</p><p data-block-key=\"entke\">In one <a href=\"https://europeancorrespondent.com/en/r/a-us-ambassador-turned-police-on-an-activist-then-on-me\">email to the outlet</a> after the event, White implied Dempsey was connected to the activist and called him and Fintelmann “losers.” In another, White accused Dempsey of approaching him with a weapon and harassing embassy employees, allegations Dempsey denies. Video of the encounter shows Dempsey holding a cellphone as he approached White.</p><p data-block-key=\"1epp2\">White also said Dempsey would be barred from future government events. The ambassador went on to incorrectly identify Fintelmann as the activist who had emailed the Zac Brown Band, and claimed the European journalist suffered from “Trump Derangement Syndrome level five.”</p><p data-block-key=\"brqq2\">Ben Grazda, advocacy manager for Reporters Without Borders, condemned the ambassador’s treatment of the journalists <a href=\"https://www.instagram.com/p/DadPgRTjpH8/\">in a statement.</a></p><p data-block-key=\"dhuvm\">“It is ludicrous that, on the anniversary of America declaring itself free from tyranny, the US Ambassador to Belgium, at his massive party for the occasion, kicked out an American and a European journalist simply for asking questions,” he wrote. “Americans expect their top diplomats to at least respect the nation’s founding values in their official duties. We hope Ambassador White will turn his attention to the matter of the Constitution before he disgraces it again.”</p><p data-block-key=\"f21aa\"><i>Update: This article was revised to include a comment from the spokesperson for Brussels Mayor Philippe Close.</i></p></div>",
"introduction": "",
"teaser": "",
"teaser_image": "https://media.pressfreedomtracker.us/media/images/Belgium_3.2e16d0ba.fill-1330x880.png",
"primary_video": null,
"image_caption": "<p data-block-key=\"azkqr\">European Correspondent reporter Samuel Dempsey, in white T-shirt, questions American Ambassador to Belgium Bill White at a U.S. government event in Brussels on June 28, 2026. Dempsey was later detained and barred from the event.</p>",
"arresting_authority": " Brussels-Midi Zone Police",
"arrest_status": "detained and released without being processed",
"release_date": null,
"detention_date": "2026-06-28",
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{
"title": "Photojournalist pepper-sprayed by federal officer at New Jersey protest",
"url": "https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/photojournalist-pepper-sprayed-by-federal-officer-at-new-jersey-protest/",
"first_published_at": "2026-06-30T18:38:28.263000Z",
"last_published_at": "2026-06-30T20:50:30.945721Z",
"latest_revision_created_at": "2026-06-30T20:50:30.806606Z",
"date": "2026-06-27",
"exact_date_unknown": false,
"city": "Newark",
"longitude": -74.17237,
"latitude": 40.73566,
"body": "<div class=\"w-block-rich_text block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"bxu4r\">Photojournalist Stephanie Keith was targeted with pepper spray by a federal officer while documenting a protest outside a detention center in Newark, New Jersey, on June 27, 2026.</p><p data-block-key=\"c46bs\">Protests outside the Delaney Hall immigration detention facility <a href=\"https://whyy.org/articles/new-jersey-newark-ice-detention-center-protest/\">began</a> May 22, when many detainees went on a <a href=\"https://newjerseymonitor.com/2026/05/22/delaney-hall-hunger-strike/\">hunger strike</a>. Members of Congress, state and local lawmakers and rights groups have alleged dire conditions at the facility. The Department of Homeland Security has <a href=\"https://x.com/RapidResponse47/status/2059684595470094847?s=20\">denied</a> allegations of detainee mistreatment.</p><p data-block-key=\"b8a3r\">Federal <a href=\"https://gothamist.com/news/nj-senator-pepper-sprayed-with-protestors-outside-delaney-hall-immigrant-center-in-newark\">officers</a> have <a href=\"https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/28/nyregion/delaney-hall-newark-ice-protesters-arrest.html\">responded</a> to the protests with chemical irritants, physical force and arrests, as did <a href=\"https://www.cbsnews.com/newyork/news/delaney-hall-ice-protests-dhs-restores-family-visitation/\">state</a> <a href=\"https://gothamist.com/news/newark-sets-curfew-around-ice-jail-after-more-clashes-between-cops-and-protesters\">police</a> in the days that followed.</p><p data-block-key=\"dvvds\">Keith <a href=\"https://www.instagram.com/p/DaHOEYwDBoi/?img_index=5\">posted images</a> from the protest on Instagram, two of which show an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer deploying a can of pepper spray directly at her camera. She did not immediately respond to a request for comment.</p></div>\n<div class=\"w-block-instagram block-instagram\"><div class=\"instagram-embed\">\n\t<div>\n <blockquote\n\tclass=\"instagram-media\"\n\tdata-instgrm-permalink=\"https://www.instagram.com/p/DaHOEYwDBoi/?utm_source=ig_embed\"\n\tdata-instgrm-version=\"14\">\n\t<a class=\"btn btn-secondary\" href=\"https://www.instagram.com/p/DaHOEYwDBoi\">View post on Instagram</a>\n</blockquote>\n<script async src=\"https://www.instagram.com/embed.js\"></script>\n\n</div>\n\n</div>\n</div>\n<div class=\"w-block-rich_text block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"bxu4r\">In a statement emailed to the Tracker on June 24, DHS said anyone who obstructs law enforcement or disrupts its operations would be prosecuted. It did not address its use of force against members of the press.</p><p data-block-key=\"bhr7n\">“We remind members of the media and the public to exercise caution as they cover these violent riots and remind journalists that covering unlawful activities in the field does come with risks,” the statement read. “Our officers take every reasonable precaution to mitigate those dangers to those exercising protected First Amendment rights.”</p></div>",
"introduction": "",
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"primary_video": null,
"image_caption": "<p data-block-key=\"gpl19\">Federal law enforcement outside an immigration detention facility in Newark, New Jersey, on June 6, 2026. Stephanie Keith was pepper-sprayed by a federal officer at a protest there later in the month.</p>",
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"Department of Homeland Security",
"immigration",
"protest"
],
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"categories": [
"Assault"
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{
"title": "Journalist pepper-sprayed by federal officers at Father’s Day protest",
"url": "https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/journalist-pepper-sprayed-by-federal-officers-at-fathers-day-protest/",
"first_published_at": "2026-06-26T18:26:32.826583Z",
"last_published_at": "2026-06-26T18:26:32.826583Z",
"latest_revision_created_at": "2026-06-26T18:26:32.659606Z",
"date": "2026-06-21",
"exact_date_unknown": false,
"city": "Newark",
"longitude": -74.17237,
"latitude": 40.73566,
"body": "<div class=\"w-block-rich_text block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"4ukva\">Independent reporter and photojournalist Wali Khan was targeted with pepper spray by federal officers while documenting protests outside a detention center in Newark, New Jersey, on June 21, 2026.</p><p data-block-key=\"1mvvi\">Protests outside the Delaney Hall immigration detention facility <a href=\"https://whyy.org/articles/new-jersey-newark-ice-detention-center-protest/\">began</a> May 22, when many detainees went on a <a href=\"https://newjerseymonitor.com/2026/05/22/delaney-hall-hunger-strike/\">hunger strike</a>. Members of Congress, state and local lawmakers and rights groups have alleged dire conditions at the facility.</p><p data-block-key=\"cq3o8\">Federal <a href=\"https://gothamist.com/news/nj-senator-pepper-sprayed-with-protestors-outside-delaney-hall-immigrant-center-in-newark\">officers</a> <a href=\"https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/28/nyregion/delaney-hall-newark-ice-protesters-arrest.html\">responded</a> to the protests with chemical irritants, physical force and arrests, as did <a href=\"https://www.cbsnews.com/newyork/news/delaney-hall-ice-protests-dhs-restores-family-visitation/\">state</a> <a href=\"https://gothamist.com/news/newark-sets-curfew-around-ice-jail-after-more-clashes-between-cops-and-protesters\">police</a> in the days that followed.</p><p data-block-key=\"3nme8\">The Department of Homeland Security has <a href=\"https://x.com/RapidResponse47/status/2059684595470094847?s=20\">denied</a> allegations of detainee mistreatment.</p><p data-block-key=\"b0tgn\">Khan <a href=\"https://www.instagram.com/p/DZ8Pgj6CSLG/?img_index=5\">reported on social media</a> that protesters gathered outside the facility on June 21, tying neckties to the main gate after all Father’s Day visitations were canceled.</p><p data-block-key=\"cc4t6\">In a <a href=\"https://www.instagram.com/p/DZ5lN7MoRQT/\">social media post</a> he jointly published with Status Coup, federal officers can be seen streaming out of the facility alongside a couple of Geo Group employees, and starting to push demonstrators back while conducting arrests.</p><p data-block-key=\"2ppqe\">After deploying chemical munitions at the crowd — including pepper spray and pepper balls — officers then retreat behind the fence marking the detention center grounds.</p><p data-block-key=\"bfmmi\">Khan told the U.S. Press Freedom Tracker that an officer deliberately pepper-sprayed him, adding simply, “That really fucking sucked.”</p></div>\n<div class=\"w-block-instagram block-instagram\"><div class=\"instagram-embed\">\n\t<div>\n <blockquote\n\tclass=\"instagram-media\"\n\tdata-instgrm-permalink=\"https://www.instagram.com/p/DZ5lN7MoRQT/?utm_source=ig_embed\"\n\tdata-instgrm-version=\"14\">\n\t<a class=\"btn btn-secondary\" href=\"https://www.instagram.com/p/DZ5lN7MoRQT\">View post on Instagram</a>\n</blockquote>\n<script async src=\"https://www.instagram.com/embed.js\"></script>\n\n</div>\n\n</div>\n</div>\n<div class=\"w-block-rich_text block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"4ukva\">Reflecting on the last month of protests, Khan said that federal officers routinely targeted members of the press.</p><p data-block-key=\"7fdsp\">“When the ICE or DHS officers step in to push protesters back, who are trying to block vehicles or whatever, they very obviously target journalists who are in front and taking pictures,” Khan said. “They push us back and beat us. They pepper-spray us. They don’t care.</p><p data-block-key=\"96rk6\">“They deploy their less-lethal ammunition like it’s a toy, and they’re very trigger-happy,” he added.</p><p data-block-key=\"dcpo\">In a statement emailed to the Tracker on June 24, DHS said anyone who obstructs law enforcement or disrupts its operations would be prosecuted. It did not address its use of force against members of the press.</p><p data-block-key=\"5or5a\">“We remind members of the media and the public to exercise caution as they cover these violent riots and remind journalists that covering unlawful activities in the field does come with risks,” the statement read. “Our officers take every reasonable precaution to mitigate those dangers to those exercising protected First Amendment rights.”</p></div>",
"introduction": "",
"teaser": "",
"teaser_image": "https://media.pressfreedomtracker.us/media/images/June_21__IMG_2335.2e16d0ba.fill-1330x880.jpg",
"primary_video": null,
"image_caption": "<p data-block-key=\"1jai2\">Federal officers with crowd-control weapons stand before an immigration detention center in Newark, New Jersey, on June 21, 2026. Journalist Wali Khan was covering protests outside the facility that day when an officer targeted him with pepper spray.</p>",
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"name": "New Jersey",
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"immigration",
"protest"
],
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"categories": [
"Assault"
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{
"title": "Man charged in Vermont for assaulting journalist at home",
"url": "https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/man-charged-in-vermont-for-assaulting-journalist-at-home/",
"first_published_at": "2026-08-27T14:14:21.717922Z",
"last_published_at": "2026-08-27T14:14:21.717922Z",
"latest_revision_created_at": "2026-08-27T14:05:26.456212Z",
"date": "2026-06-20",
"exact_date_unknown": false,
"city": "Brattleboro",
"longitude": -72.55787,
"latitude": 42.85092,
"body": "<div class=\"w-block-rich_text block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"650ll\">Independent journalist Hank Poitras said he was assaulted at his home in Brattleboro, Vermont, on June 20, 2026, by a man whose arrest he had filmed weeks earlier.</p><p data-block-key=\"8ts4l\">Poitras runs the social media platforms and websites Planet Hank and Brattleboro News, where he documents local crime and public safety issues, including by filming police activities. Poitras is also a local Republican Party leader.</p><p data-block-key=\"au7sr\">On May 6, Poitras <a href=\"https://www.facebook.com/reel/967275512876779\">filmed</a> police in the nearby town of Keene, New Hampshire, arresting Julian Lemert, a 20-year-old college student, for allegedly assaulting a woman, and later posted a video about the incident and the charges Lemert faced.</p><p data-block-key=\"4j8uo\">In the video, Lemert can be seen asking Poitras why he is filming and asking police who he is. Poitras told the U.S. Press Freedom Tracker he was filming the arrest with a mobile professional camera and was clearly there to document.</p><p data-block-key=\"8ajsa\">Poitras said he didn’t hear anything from Lemert after he posted the May video of his arrest.</p><p data-block-key=\"ce6q6\">Then, early in the morning on June 20, Poitras said he was alerted to the presence of someone at his house by his dog barking. He saw Lemert outside his window, and said he heard him calling his name and yelling, “Fuck you, Planet Hank!”</p><p data-block-key=\"7qb8d\">“It was definitely because of the video. I have no tie to him, and it’s not like he was calling me my personal name or anything,” he said. “He was coming after me because of Planet Hank.”</p><p data-block-key=\"79qut\">Poitras called the police as soon as he recognized Lemert.</p><p data-block-key=\"44b0v\">When he went to his door and Lemert saw him from outside, the college student ran toward the door and threw a rock, Poitras said. The journalist started <a href=\"https://www.facebook.com/reel/1680461859833490\">filming the encounter.</a></p><p data-block-key=\"f9gc4\">“And he just came right up and used his hand and smashed right through the glass and basically kicked open the door,” Poitras added.</p><p data-block-key=\"9c0p8\">Poitras said he grabbed Lemert and wrestled him to the ground. As he was holding him, Lemert allegedly tried to stab him in the leg.</p><p data-block-key=\"9usr1\">The journalist said he then went back into his house, but dropped his phone, which he said Lemert grabbed and ran away with. Soon after, Lemert was <a href=\"https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1404628438362872&set=a.233311682161226\">taken into custody</a> by Brattleboro police.</p><p data-block-key=\"74lrg\">Poitras said Lemert threw his phone in a river; it was later retrieved by the fire department, providing police with video of the assault.</p><p data-block-key=\"1vs3a\">Lemert pleaded not guilty on June 23 to felony charges, including aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and burglary, and other charges related to theft and property damage, according to <a href=\"https://www.reformer.com/local-news/ny-man-appears-in-court-to-face-charges-of-assault-against-community-journalist/article_f59ea20b-e8ea-4a3b-8b91-7e2292965b6d.html\">news</a> <a href=\"https://mykeenenow.com/news/219912-keene-state-college-student-held-without-bail-after-alleged-brattleboro-home-invasion/\">reports</a> that cited court records.</p></div>",
"introduction": "",
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"image_caption": "<p data-block-key=\"hatyb\">A man, later identified as Julian Lemert, approaches independent journalist Hank Poitras’ home in Brattleboro, Vermont, on June 20, 2026, where he allegedly assaulted the journalist. Lemert was arrested soon after.</p>",
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],
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},
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}
]
